Effects of problem based learning on prospective science teachers' problem solving skills, academic achievements and attitudes

It can be said that teachers have an important role as a guide in science and technology education. When it's about training successful teachers, problem solving skill and positive thinking skill comes to foreground. Problem based learning, which is an effective approach on problem solving might have a positive effect on these skills. Within this scope this study's aim is to research effects of problem based learning on prospective teachers' problem solving skills, academic achievements and attitudes towards biology laboratory. Experimental practice was made with science prospective teachers who were studying fourth grade in Dokuz Eylul University Buca Faculty of Education. This study is conducted with pre test post test quasi experimental research design. Courses of experiment group continued with problem based learning while courses of control group continued with general biology laboratory instruction program. Problem Solving Skills Scale, General Biology Laboratory Academic Achievemen Test and Attitude Scale Towards Biology Laboratory applied on prospective teachers in experiment and control groups. In addition, semi structured interviews applied on prospective teachers in experiment group after experimental practice. Analysis of obtained data made with SPSS program. After data analysis, it is determined that a significant difference found in problem solving skill perceptions, academic achievements and attitudes towards biology laboratory between experiment and control group in favor of experiment group. In addition, interviews made with prospective teachers in experiment group using semi structured interview questions in order to determine their views towards problem based learning method. After analysis of interviews it can be said that prospective teachers' views towards problem based learning method are positive. It's thought that this study will lead to new researches and will help determining effects of problem based learning on prospective teachers.