The effect of using computer based mind mapping on students? academic achievement, attitudes and retention in science and technology course

This study aims at determining the effects of using computer based mind mapping on students? academic achievement, retenton and attitudes in Science and Technology Course. The study was conducted on seven grade students in Elazığ at Mezre Elementary School during 2011-2012 academic year. The research was conducted with two classes including an experimental and a control class. While experimental group comprised of 36 students, control group comprised of 32 students. While experimental group used individual computer based mind mapping, control group used traditional teaching method. The computer based mind mapping technique was applied on the unit titled ?Our Body System?Mixed research model that used both quantitative and qualitative research methods together was preferred in this research. While SPSS.16 statistical program was used to analyze quantitative data, N-VIVO was used to analyze qualitative data.The achievement test prepared by researcher is composed of 34 questions. The mean difficulty of the test was calculated to be .54 and KR-20 reliability coefficient was measured to be .73. Science and technology achievement test was applied in the experimental and control groups as pretest, posttest and retention test. To determine students' attitudes towards science and technology course the attitude scale for science and technology course which developed by Akınoğlu (2001) was used. The scale is in the form of 5-grade likert and composed of 20 question. Reliability of the attitude scale consisting of 10 positive and 10 negative items is 0.89.Both quantitative and qualitative data results of the study obtain each other. Quantitative data analysis results revealed that experimental group that used computer based mind map was more successful than the control group that used traditional teaching method. In terms of retention the score of the experimental group was higher than control group. Students in the experimental group has a positive attitude towards science and technology course. While the attitude of the students in the experimental group towards science and technology course was increase, the attitude of the students in the control group was decreased. Qualitative data analysis results revealed opinions on using of computer based mind map. According to qualitative data analysis results the opinions were related how to use copmuter based mind map; what needed for the process; the favorite sides, problems and benefits of process and the effects of using computer based mind map on science and technology course. Also it was obtained according to the results that the reqeust of using computer based mind map for all topics of science and technology course and different courses.