The efficiency of virtual learning environments based on social knowledge construction on learners' achievement and attitudes

Ill SUMMARY PhD Thesis The Efficiency of Virtual Learning Environments Based on Social Knowledge Construction on Learners' Achievement and Attitudes Bünyamin ATICI Firat University The Institute of Social Sciences The Main Branch of Educational Sciences March 2004, Page: XII + 217 The aim of this study is to determine the efficiency of virtual learning environments based on social knowledge construction on learners' achievement and attitudes. In this direct, this study tried to compare the virtual learning environments based on social knowledge construction with traditional learning environments at the "Human Development and Learning" course. The second year students who followed "Human Development and Learning" course at the Faculty of Technical Education at Firat University, during 2002-2003 Fall term participated the research. The pre-test and post-test control group research design was used in the study. The study concluded three groups with consisted each of 24 members. The first experimental group acted in only "virtual learning environments based on social knowledge construction", the second experimental group acted in both "virtual learning environments based on social knowledge construction and traditional learning environments", and the control group acted in only "traditional learning environments". The major findings in this study indicated that; the students in experimental group were found more successful considering the average of the points of post-test. Both of the experimental groups were more successful than control group on comprehension level of cognitive domain. This study exposed positive findings of the virtual learning environments based on social knowledge construction about learning and teaching. It can be recommended that it's too important to give learners more initiative with less control but guiding them for knowledge construction. And, it can be said that it will be very useful to implement such courses such as literature, sociology, history, philosophy etc., at this environment for determining its efficiency from the different points. Keywords: Virtual Learning Environments Based on Social Knowledge Construction, Computer Mediated Communication, Online Learning Communities, Constructivism.