The effects of concept cartoons-assisted problem based learning on students? problem solving skills perceptions, motivation toward science learning and levels of conceptual understanding

The studies about the determining of the effects of the methods and techniques suitable for constructivist approach on students have gained importance since the science and technology curriculum has been arranged in the basis on constructivist approach. Problem based learning which is mainly used in faculties such as medicine, law and engineering is one of the so-called methods. Problem based learning is a learning method that students put forward the solutions about the questions from the daily life in cooperative environment by using their existing knowledge and information which they gain in the result of their investigations. In problem based learning, students who have an active role in the whole learning process from the finding out of the problem to the solving problem work cooperatively and use their high level of thinking skills such as inquiry learning, critical thinking and problem solving. This method requiring which students should be active in learning process and responsible for their learning is thought to be more useful for primary students on being used along with concept cartoons consisting of the two or more caricaturized persons? views about a daily life problem. By presenting alternative views about the solving of the problems existing in daily life cases, concept cartoons can be said to be guide students, especially in solving problems. Therefore, in this study the effects of the using of problem based learning method along with concept cartoons taking often part in the studies recently on the primary students has been determined.The aim of this study is to search the effects of the using concept cartoons-assisted problem based learning method in science and technology instruction on students? problem solving skills perceptions, motivation toward science learning and levels of conceptual understanding. Besides, the finding out of students? views about the concept cartoons-assisted problem based learning has been purposed. In this study, pre test-post test quasi-experimental design has been used. The data of this study has been collected through ?the scale of problem solving skills perceptions for secondary students?, ?the scale of the motivation toward science learning?, ?conceptual understanding test? and ?semi-structured interview questions about determining the effects of concept cartoons-assisted problem based learning?. In the result of analysis of data, it has been determined that there is a significant difference in favor of the experiment group with respect to students? problem solving skills, motivation about science learning and conceptual understanding. Besides, in the result of semi-constructed interviews carried out with students in the experiment group it has been concluded that the all of the students have positive view about the effects of concept cartoons assisted problem based learning on learning process and learning of students. Consequently this study carried out is thought to contribute to the literacy on the effects of the using concept cartoons-assisted problem based learning method and to guide the new studies related to this subject.Key Words: Science and Technology Instruction, Problem Based Learning and Concept Cartoons