The Effect of Interactive Digital Storytelling on the Academic Achievement and Attitudes of 6th Grade Students in Learning the Circulatory System
Year 2025,
Volume: 9 Issue: 19, 88 - 101, 25.03.2025
Murat Çetinkaya
,
İrem Cansu Demir
Abstract
In recent years, students' interest in technology has become a part of their daily lives. Students' interests in technology are concentrated on topics such as coding, software programmes, creating and sharing video content and curiosity about the use of social media. This study aims to determine the effect of using interactive digital storytelling activities to teach the Circulatory System topic to 6th-grade students in science courses on their academic achievement and attitudes. It significantly contributes to understanding how teaching methods impact students' learning and attitudes. This study used a quasi-experimental design with the pre-test-post-test control group, one of the quantitative research approaches, to answer the research problem and sub-problems. The study group research consists of 6th-grade students in a secondary school in the central district of Altınordu in Ordu province in the 2021-2022 academic year. One of these classes was randomly selected as the experimental group and one as the control group. While the digital storytelling material developed within the research was used in the classroom environment in the experimental group, it was not applied in the other control group. The same researcher and the course teacher attended both classes together. The science and technology attitude scale and the circulatory system achievement test were applied to the experimental and control groups as a pre-test at the beginning of the study and a post-test at the end. Independent samples t-test was used to analyse the data obtained from the study. As a result, it was observed that only the interactive digital storytelling applied to the experimental group increased the students' achievement and attitudes towards the science course in a statistically significant and positive way. It is recommended that the researchers provide the necessary pre-training for the students to use the interactive digital storytelling work they prepared in the science course and encourage them to share it with their friends.
Ethical Statement
Ethics Committee Decision
This study includes the research findings and results of the master's thesis study of İrem Cansu DEMİR, supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat ÇETİNKAYA. Ethics committee permission was obtained from Ordu University Social and Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee with decision number 2021/157.
References
- Aktepe, A. (2018). Etkileşimli video kullanımının bir kitlesel online psikoloji dersindeki öğrencilerin öğrenme algılarına etkisi [The effect of interactive video use on students' perceptions of learning in a mass online psychology course]. (Master’s theses), Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul.
- Aldemir-Engin, R. (2022). Mathematics teachers’ evaluation of digital stories and views. Journal of Computer and Education Research, 10 (20), 330-357. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1082591
- Büyükcengiz, M. (2017). Dijital öyküleme metodunun ortaokul öğrencilerinin fen bilimleri dersi akademik başarı, bilimsel süreç becerileri ve derse yönelik tutumlarına etkisi. [The effect of digital storytelling on middle school students' academic achievement, science process skills, and attitudes towards the course]. (Master's thesis), Akdeniz University, Antalya.
- Bozdağ, H. C., & Gökler, İ. (2023). Ters yüz sınıf modeline yönelik dijital içerik tasarımı: Biyoloji dersi örneği [Ters yüz sınıf modeline yönelik dijital içerik tasarımı: Biyoloji dersi örneği]. Journal of Computer and Education Research, 11 (21), 335-355. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1246524
- Çalış, H. & Demir, S. (2023). Fen öğretiminde dijital öykü kullanımının öğrencilerin fen dersine yönelik tutumlarına ve akademik başarılarına etkisi [The effect of using digital stories in science teaching on students' attitudes towards science course and academic achievement]. Sosyal Bilimler ve Yönetim Dergisi, 8(2), 45-62.
- Çelik, B. Y. (2021). Dı̇jı̇tal öykü atölyesı̇nı̇n ortaokul öğrencı̇lerı̇nı̇n 21. yüzyıl becerı̇lerı̇ne ve öğrencı̇ başarısına etkı̇sı̇. [Digital story workshop for secondary school students in the 21st century: The effect of skills and student achievement]. (Master's thesis), Uludag University, Bursa.
- Çepni, S. (2018). Introduction to research and project studies (8th edition). Celepler Matbaacılık.
- Çetinkaya, M. (2015). Fen eğitiminde web destekli ve etkinlik temelli ölçme ve değerlendirmenin öğrenme üzerine etkisi. [The effect of web-supported and activity-based measurement and evaluation on learning in science education]. (Doctoral Thesis), Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun.
- Cevahir, E. (2020). SPSS ile nicel veri analizi rehberi. Kibele.
- Cohen, J. (1988). The t test for means. Statistical power analysis for the behavioural sciences.
- Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge.
- Deliveli, K. (2022). Dijital teknoloji destekli ses tabanlı hece öğretim yöntemi ile okuma yazmanın öğretilmesi (Vaka çalışması). [Teaching literacy through digital technology-supported soundbased syllable teaching method (case study)] Journal of Computer and Education Research, 10 (19), 103-136. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1026440
- Demir, İ. C. & Çetinkaya, M. (2021). Değişen dünyada değişime uğrayan öykü anlatma serüveni: dijital öyküleme [Changing story in a changing world telling adventure: Digital storytelling]. In Koca, Ş. & Akgül, M. Ş., (Ed), Research and evaluations in educational sciences II (pp. 241-252). Gece Kitaplığı Publishing.
- Demir, İ. C. & Çetinkaya, M. (2021). Research and evaluations in educational sciences II september 2021, Eds: Koca, Ş., Akgül, M. Ş., Storytelling adventure that has changed in the changing world: Digital storytelling, 241-252, Ankara.
- Demir, İ. C. (2023). Ortaokul 6. sınıf “dolaşım sistemi” konusunun öğretiminde interaktif dijital öyküleme kullanımın öğrencilerin akademik başarı ve tutumlarına etkisi [The effect of using interactive digital storytelling on students' academic achievement and attitudes in teaching 6th grade "circulatory system" subject in secondary school]. [Unpublished master's thesis], Ordu University.
- Dinçer, B. (2019). Dijital hikâye temelli matematik öğretiminin ortaokul öğrencilerinin kavram öğrenmeleri üzerine etkileri. [The effects of digital story-based mathematics teaching on middle school students' concept learning]. (Doctoral dissertation), Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir.
- Doğan, M. (2021). Fen öğretiminde dijital öykü kullanımının öğrencilerin akademik başarılarına etkisi [The effect of using digital stories in science teaching on students' academic achievement]. Eğitim ve Bilim Dergisi, 46(1), 78-95.
- Engelman, J. (2016). How college students' conceptions of Newton's second and third laws change through watching interactive video vignettes: A mixed methods study. Available from ProOuest Dissertations and Theses database. Retrieved from http://libproxy.usc.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1881197466?accountid=14749%0Ahttps://usc-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/openurl/01USC/01USC_SP??url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&genre=dissertations+%26
- Erdem, S. (2019). 6. sınıf voleybol dersinin etkileşimli video ve spor eğitimi modeli ile öğretiminin öğrencinin erişi ve tutumuna etkisinin değerlendirilmesi. [Evaluation of the effect of 6th-grade volleyball course teaching with interactive video and sports education model on student achievement and attitude]. (Master's thesis), Marmara University, Istanbul.
- Karademir, E. (2020). 21. yy becerilerinin geliştirilmesinde dijital öyküleme uygulamaları: Özel yetenekli ilkokul öğrencileri örnekleminde öğrenme ve yenilenme becerileri. [Digital storytelling applications in developing 21st-century skills: Learning and renewal skills in a sample of gifted primary school students]. [Master's thesis, Anadolu University,], Eskişehir.
- Kaya, D., Kutluca, T., & Dağhan, G. (2024). Investigation of the relationships between e-learning styles, educational technology self-efficacy perceptions and problem-solving skills of pre-service elementary mathematics teachers'. International e-Journal of Educational Studies, 8 (17), 157-174. https://doi.org/10.31458/iejes.1355282
- Kaya, A. & Yılmaz, R. (2022). Fen eğitimi alanında dijital öykü uygulamalarının akademik başarıya etkisi [The effect of digital story applications on academic achievement in science education]. International Journal of Educational Research, 11(3), 112-130.
- Kılıç, T. E. (2019). Popüler bilim kitaplarının 6. sınıf öğrencilerinin fen bilimleri dersi akademik başarılarına, bilgilerinin kalıcılığına ve fenne yönelik tutumlarına etkisi. [The effect of popular science books on 6th grade students' academic achievement in science course, knowledge retention, and attitudes towards science].(Doctoral thesis), Gazi University, Ankara.
- Kutluca, T., Tum, A. & Mut, A. (2020). Evaluation of enriched learning environment in the context of mathematical reasoning from the perspective of the students and their teacher. Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education, 11(2), 85-105.
- Ministry of National Education (MoNE), (2018). Primary school science curriculum. Presidency of the Board of Education and Discipline.
- Morris, J. L. & Nilsson, S. (2021). The circulatory system: In comparative physiology and evolution of the autonomic nervous system. Routledge.
- Murray, J. T. (2024). Interactive storytelling. Springer Nature.
- Nainggolan, L. & Sipahutar, H. (2017). The effectiveness of interactive multimedia as learning media to reduce students' misconceptıon of human circulatory systems. Jurnal Pelita Pendidikan, 4(4), 135-139.
- Olur, B. (2021). Sosyal bilgiler dersinde dijital hikâye kullanımı: Öğrencilerin yeterlik ve değerlerinin incelenmesi. [The use of digital stories in social studies course: Examining students' competencies and values]. (Doctoral thesis), Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar.
- Öndin, Z. (2008). İnteraktif videonun eğitimde kullanılmasını sağlayan bir DVD uygulaması. [A dvd application that enables the use of interactive video in education]. (Master thesis), Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul
- Salman, S. & Kalender, A. B. (2019, Dec 13-15). Interactive media in digital storytelling: Black Mirror-Bandersnatch film example. V. International Congress on Social and Education Sciences (INCSES-2019).
- Selvi, S. (2019). Sosyal bilgiler dersine ilişkin interaktif hikâyeler ve bütünleşik ünite hikâyelerinin öğrencilerin akademik başarılarına ve tutumlarına etkisi. [The effect of interactive and integrated unit stories on students' academic achievement and attitudes towards social studies course]. (Master's thesis), Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas.
- Tepe, A. G. G. & Ovalı, A. G. M. (2021). Decision tree and flowchart application in black mİrror: Bandersnatch interactive cinema universe. Turkuaz International Journal of Socio-Economic Strategic Research, 39 3(1), 39-51.
- Tepe, T. (2022). Students' experiences and usability evaluation in interactive digital interface development proces. Journal of Computer and Education Research, 10 (20), 434-451. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1109158
- Torun, K. (2019). İnteraktif video teknolojisinin kurumsal eğitimde kullanımı. [The use of interactive video technology in corporate education]. (Master's Thesis). Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul.
- Ünlü, T. T. (2020). İnteraktif sinemada izleyicinin karakter ile özdeşleşmesi. [Identification of the audience with the character in interactive cinema]. (Master's Thesis), Istanbul University, Istanbul.
- Uysal, İ., & Kılıç, A. (2022). Normal dağılım ikilemi [Normal distribution dilemma]. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International, 12(1), 220-248.
- Yang, Y.T.C. & Wu, W.C.I. (2012). Digital storytelling for enhancing student academic achievement, critical thinking, and learning motivation: A year-long experimental study. Computers and Education, 59(2), 339-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.12.012
- Yılmaz, Y., Üstündağ, M. T. & Güneş, E. (2017). Examining the stages and tools of digital story development as teaching material. Abant İzzet Baysal University Journal of Faculty of Education, 17(3), 1621-1640.
The Effect of Interactive Digital Storytelling on the Academic Achievement and Attitudes of 6th Grade Students in Learning the Circulatory System
Year 2025,
Volume: 9 Issue: 19, 88 - 101, 25.03.2025
Murat Çetinkaya
,
İrem Cansu Demir
Abstract
In recent years, students' interest in technology has become a part of their daily lives. Students' interests in technology are concentrated on topics such as coding, software programmes, creating and sharing video content and curiosity about the use of social media. This study aims to determine the effect of using interactive digital storytelling activities to teach the Circulatory System topic to 6th-grade students in science courses on their academic achievement and attitudes. It significantly contributes to understanding how teaching methods impact students' learning and attitudes. This study used a quasi-experimental design with the pre-test-post-test control group, one of the quantitative research approaches, to answer the research problem and sub-problems. The study group research consists of 6th-grade students in a secondary school in the central district of Altınordu in Ordu province in the 2021-2022 academic year. One of these classes was randomly selected as the experimental group and one as the control group. While the digital storytelling material developed within the research was used in the classroom environment in the experimental group, it was not applied in the other control group. The same researcher and the course teacher attended both classes together. The science and technology attitude scale and the circulatory system achievement test were applied to the experimental and control groups as a pre-test at the beginning of the study and a post-test at the end. Independent samples t-test was used to analyse the data obtained from the study. As a result, it was observed that only the interactive digital storytelling applied to the experimental group increased the students' achievement and attitudes towards the science course in a statistically significant and positive way. It is recommended that the researchers provide the necessary pre-training for the students to use the interactive digital storytelling work they prepared in the science course and encourage them to share it with their friends.
Ethical Statement
Ethics Committee Decision
This study includes the research findings and results of the master's thesis study of İrem Cansu DEMİR, supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat ÇETİNKAYA. Ethics committee permission was obtained from Ordu University Social and Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee with decision number 2021/157.
References
- Aktepe, A. (2018). Etkileşimli video kullanımının bir kitlesel online psikoloji dersindeki öğrencilerin öğrenme algılarına etkisi [The effect of interactive video use on students' perceptions of learning in a mass online psychology course]. (Master’s theses), Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul.
- Aldemir-Engin, R. (2022). Mathematics teachers’ evaluation of digital stories and views. Journal of Computer and Education Research, 10 (20), 330-357. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1082591
- Büyükcengiz, M. (2017). Dijital öyküleme metodunun ortaokul öğrencilerinin fen bilimleri dersi akademik başarı, bilimsel süreç becerileri ve derse yönelik tutumlarına etkisi. [The effect of digital storytelling on middle school students' academic achievement, science process skills, and attitudes towards the course]. (Master's thesis), Akdeniz University, Antalya.
- Bozdağ, H. C., & Gökler, İ. (2023). Ters yüz sınıf modeline yönelik dijital içerik tasarımı: Biyoloji dersi örneği [Ters yüz sınıf modeline yönelik dijital içerik tasarımı: Biyoloji dersi örneği]. Journal of Computer and Education Research, 11 (21), 335-355. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1246524
- Çalış, H. & Demir, S. (2023). Fen öğretiminde dijital öykü kullanımının öğrencilerin fen dersine yönelik tutumlarına ve akademik başarılarına etkisi [The effect of using digital stories in science teaching on students' attitudes towards science course and academic achievement]. Sosyal Bilimler ve Yönetim Dergisi, 8(2), 45-62.
- Çelik, B. Y. (2021). Dı̇jı̇tal öykü atölyesı̇nı̇n ortaokul öğrencı̇lerı̇nı̇n 21. yüzyıl becerı̇lerı̇ne ve öğrencı̇ başarısına etkı̇sı̇. [Digital story workshop for secondary school students in the 21st century: The effect of skills and student achievement]. (Master's thesis), Uludag University, Bursa.
- Çepni, S. (2018). Introduction to research and project studies (8th edition). Celepler Matbaacılık.
- Çetinkaya, M. (2015). Fen eğitiminde web destekli ve etkinlik temelli ölçme ve değerlendirmenin öğrenme üzerine etkisi. [The effect of web-supported and activity-based measurement and evaluation on learning in science education]. (Doctoral Thesis), Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun.
- Cevahir, E. (2020). SPSS ile nicel veri analizi rehberi. Kibele.
- Cohen, J. (1988). The t test for means. Statistical power analysis for the behavioural sciences.
- Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge.
- Deliveli, K. (2022). Dijital teknoloji destekli ses tabanlı hece öğretim yöntemi ile okuma yazmanın öğretilmesi (Vaka çalışması). [Teaching literacy through digital technology-supported soundbased syllable teaching method (case study)] Journal of Computer and Education Research, 10 (19), 103-136. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1026440
- Demir, İ. C. & Çetinkaya, M. (2021). Değişen dünyada değişime uğrayan öykü anlatma serüveni: dijital öyküleme [Changing story in a changing world telling adventure: Digital storytelling]. In Koca, Ş. & Akgül, M. Ş., (Ed), Research and evaluations in educational sciences II (pp. 241-252). Gece Kitaplığı Publishing.
- Demir, İ. C. & Çetinkaya, M. (2021). Research and evaluations in educational sciences II september 2021, Eds: Koca, Ş., Akgül, M. Ş., Storytelling adventure that has changed in the changing world: Digital storytelling, 241-252, Ankara.
- Demir, İ. C. (2023). Ortaokul 6. sınıf “dolaşım sistemi” konusunun öğretiminde interaktif dijital öyküleme kullanımın öğrencilerin akademik başarı ve tutumlarına etkisi [The effect of using interactive digital storytelling on students' academic achievement and attitudes in teaching 6th grade "circulatory system" subject in secondary school]. [Unpublished master's thesis], Ordu University.
- Dinçer, B. (2019). Dijital hikâye temelli matematik öğretiminin ortaokul öğrencilerinin kavram öğrenmeleri üzerine etkileri. [The effects of digital story-based mathematics teaching on middle school students' concept learning]. (Doctoral dissertation), Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir.
- Doğan, M. (2021). Fen öğretiminde dijital öykü kullanımının öğrencilerin akademik başarılarına etkisi [The effect of using digital stories in science teaching on students' academic achievement]. Eğitim ve Bilim Dergisi, 46(1), 78-95.
- Engelman, J. (2016). How college students' conceptions of Newton's second and third laws change through watching interactive video vignettes: A mixed methods study. Available from ProOuest Dissertations and Theses database. Retrieved from http://libproxy.usc.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1881197466?accountid=14749%0Ahttps://usc-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/openurl/01USC/01USC_SP??url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&genre=dissertations+%26
- Erdem, S. (2019). 6. sınıf voleybol dersinin etkileşimli video ve spor eğitimi modeli ile öğretiminin öğrencinin erişi ve tutumuna etkisinin değerlendirilmesi. [Evaluation of the effect of 6th-grade volleyball course teaching with interactive video and sports education model on student achievement and attitude]. (Master's thesis), Marmara University, Istanbul.
- Karademir, E. (2020). 21. yy becerilerinin geliştirilmesinde dijital öyküleme uygulamaları: Özel yetenekli ilkokul öğrencileri örnekleminde öğrenme ve yenilenme becerileri. [Digital storytelling applications in developing 21st-century skills: Learning and renewal skills in a sample of gifted primary school students]. [Master's thesis, Anadolu University,], Eskişehir.
- Kaya, D., Kutluca, T., & Dağhan, G. (2024). Investigation of the relationships between e-learning styles, educational technology self-efficacy perceptions and problem-solving skills of pre-service elementary mathematics teachers'. International e-Journal of Educational Studies, 8 (17), 157-174. https://doi.org/10.31458/iejes.1355282
- Kaya, A. & Yılmaz, R. (2022). Fen eğitimi alanında dijital öykü uygulamalarının akademik başarıya etkisi [The effect of digital story applications on academic achievement in science education]. International Journal of Educational Research, 11(3), 112-130.
- Kılıç, T. E. (2019). Popüler bilim kitaplarının 6. sınıf öğrencilerinin fen bilimleri dersi akademik başarılarına, bilgilerinin kalıcılığına ve fenne yönelik tutumlarına etkisi. [The effect of popular science books on 6th grade students' academic achievement in science course, knowledge retention, and attitudes towards science].(Doctoral thesis), Gazi University, Ankara.
- Kutluca, T., Tum, A. & Mut, A. (2020). Evaluation of enriched learning environment in the context of mathematical reasoning from the perspective of the students and their teacher. Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education, 11(2), 85-105.
- Ministry of National Education (MoNE), (2018). Primary school science curriculum. Presidency of the Board of Education and Discipline.
- Morris, J. L. & Nilsson, S. (2021). The circulatory system: In comparative physiology and evolution of the autonomic nervous system. Routledge.
- Murray, J. T. (2024). Interactive storytelling. Springer Nature.
- Nainggolan, L. & Sipahutar, H. (2017). The effectiveness of interactive multimedia as learning media to reduce students' misconceptıon of human circulatory systems. Jurnal Pelita Pendidikan, 4(4), 135-139.
- Olur, B. (2021). Sosyal bilgiler dersinde dijital hikâye kullanımı: Öğrencilerin yeterlik ve değerlerinin incelenmesi. [The use of digital stories in social studies course: Examining students' competencies and values]. (Doctoral thesis), Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar.
- Öndin, Z. (2008). İnteraktif videonun eğitimde kullanılmasını sağlayan bir DVD uygulaması. [A dvd application that enables the use of interactive video in education]. (Master thesis), Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul
- Salman, S. & Kalender, A. B. (2019, Dec 13-15). Interactive media in digital storytelling: Black Mirror-Bandersnatch film example. V. International Congress on Social and Education Sciences (INCSES-2019).
- Selvi, S. (2019). Sosyal bilgiler dersine ilişkin interaktif hikâyeler ve bütünleşik ünite hikâyelerinin öğrencilerin akademik başarılarına ve tutumlarına etkisi. [The effect of interactive and integrated unit stories on students' academic achievement and attitudes towards social studies course]. (Master's thesis), Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas.
- Tepe, A. G. G. & Ovalı, A. G. M. (2021). Decision tree and flowchart application in black mİrror: Bandersnatch interactive cinema universe. Turkuaz International Journal of Socio-Economic Strategic Research, 39 3(1), 39-51.
- Tepe, T. (2022). Students' experiences and usability evaluation in interactive digital interface development proces. Journal of Computer and Education Research, 10 (20), 434-451. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1109158
- Torun, K. (2019). İnteraktif video teknolojisinin kurumsal eğitimde kullanımı. [The use of interactive video technology in corporate education]. (Master's Thesis). Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul.
- Ünlü, T. T. (2020). İnteraktif sinemada izleyicinin karakter ile özdeşleşmesi. [Identification of the audience with the character in interactive cinema]. (Master's Thesis), Istanbul University, Istanbul.
- Uysal, İ., & Kılıç, A. (2022). Normal dağılım ikilemi [Normal distribution dilemma]. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International, 12(1), 220-248.
- Yang, Y.T.C. & Wu, W.C.I. (2012). Digital storytelling for enhancing student academic achievement, critical thinking, and learning motivation: A year-long experimental study. Computers and Education, 59(2), 339-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.12.012
- Yılmaz, Y., Üstündağ, M. T. & Güneş, E. (2017). Examining the stages and tools of digital story development as teaching material. Abant İzzet Baysal University Journal of Faculty of Education, 17(3), 1621-1640.