Application of three-dimensional modelling in the context of constructivist learning in teaching science and technology

Application of Three-Dimensional Modeling in the Context of Constructivist Learning in Teaching Science and TechnologyThe aim of science teaching is to upskill students with scientific thinking, critcal approaches and appropriate studying abilities. As the most important part of scientific process skills, models are the tools for comprehension of abstract concepts and thoughts.The aim of this study is to scrutinize the effects of activities that have been carried out appropriately to 5E teaching model and three- dimensional presentation of model by taking the gains of Primary School Science and Technology Programm?s The Machines Making Our Lives Easy subject into consideration on students? academical and conceptual developments. In this study, quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design has been used. The practice has been conducted with the seventh grade students of Yamantürk Primary School in Rize?s province Çayeli, during the first term of 201-2011 academic year. The experimental group of the study is formed with students of 7-C (24) with objective appointment, whereas the control group is consisted of 7-D class (26). During the teaching of experimental group, information has been presented about three dimensional models that the students are expected to prepare for the first step of 5E model, which is the engagement part. The step of exploration has been processed outside the classroom and the students are made to present what they have prepared in the class. Thus, the missing parts of the prepared models are corrected in the classroom. The other steps of 5E teaching model has been kept under the researcher?s control. However, in the control group, the lessons have been carried out according to the tasks in the course book. The data of the research have been collected from the achievement test about the issue of `The Machines Making Our Life Easier?, from semi-structured interviews and worksheets. What is put forward in the research is that the preliminary prepared models of students and the presented teaching methodology improves the success of the experimental group?s students at more significant degree than the students in the control group. Before the practice, it has been appointed that the students in the experimental and control group had alternative opinions about the subject, and afterwards the students in the experimental group have overcome these more. Besides, presenting the models the students prepared on their own has reinforced concreting the information. By using three dimensional models in The Science and Technology lessons, especially on abstract subjects, the difficulties of learning can be dealt with easily. It is suggested that instead of using ready materials, the students prepare three dimensional models, which provides the students the opportunity of learning by experiencing.Keywords: 5E Teaching Model, Three-Dimensioned Models, Simple Machines