The effects of argumentation model on students achievement and understanding level on the unit of states of matter and heat

The aim of the study was to invastigate the effects of argumentation model on eight grade primary school students? achievement, understanding level and argumentation skills on the unit of ?States of Matter and Heat?. Semi-experimental design was used in this study. The sample was comprised of totally 40 eight grade students from two different classes in a primary school located in the city the center of Erzurum. The classes chosen from the school were randomly determined as experimental and control groups. While experimental group were thought with teaching/learning activities based on argumentation model, no intervention was made in the control group. An achievement test of the Unit of ?States of Matter and Heat?, a concept test of the Unit of ?States of Matter and Heat?, observations and semi-structured interviews were used as data collection tools. Achievement test was implemented to both experimental and control groups as pre- and post-tests. The concept test was implemented to the both groups at the end of the instruction as post-tests. Observations were conducted with experimental group students to determine the improvement in their argumentation skills through the instruction based on argumentation model. In addition, semi- structured interviews were conducted with experimental group students to determine their wievs about the instruction based on argumentation model. Results showed that instruction based on argumentation model was not only successful in improving students? achievement on the unit but also in providing students to have more scientific conceptions. In addition, it was determined that experimental group students? argumentation levels were increased by means of the instruction based on argumentation model. Regarding the findings and results of the study, some suggestions were made at the end of the study.Key Words: Argumentation, States of Matter, Heat, Understanding Level, Achievement.