Pre-Service Teachers’ Problem Solving Skills and Curiosity Levels

Year 2019, , 151 - 164, 15.02.2019

Cigdem Aldan Karademir

https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.5.1.163

Abstract

The aim of the study is to examine the pre-service teachers’ problem solving skills and curiosity levels according to different variables and to determine whether there is a relationship between them. The research was designed as a descriptive study in the survey model. The sample of the study consists of 1st and 4th grade pre-service teachers in the departments of German, Science, English, Mathematics, Music, Pre-school, Painting, English, Mathematics, Turkish Language Teaching at a university in Turkey. “Curiosity Scale” adapted into Turkish by Demirel and Diker Coskun, “Problem Solving Inventory” adapted into Turkish by Sahin, Sahin and Heppner  and “Personal Information Form” prepared by the researcher were used as data collection tools. In the analysis of the data obtained, SPSS-Windows 22.00 package program was used and descriptive statistics and parametric tests were applied in accordance with the sub-problems of the study. In addition, a correlation analysis was conducted to determine whether there was a relationship between pre-service teachers’ problem solving skills and curiosity levels. Based on the findings, suggestions about the problem solving skills and curiosity levels of the prospective teachers were presented.

Keywords

Problem solving skill, curiosity, pre-service teacher

References

• Acun, N., Kapikiran, S., & Kabasakal, Z. (2013). Merak ve kesfetme olcegi II: acimlayici ve dogrulayici faktor analizleri ve guvenirlik calismasi [Trait curiosity and exploration ınventory-II: exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and its reliability]. Turkish Psychological Articles, 16(31), 74-85.
• Aksan, N., & Sozer, M. A. (2007). Universite ogrencilerinin epistemolojik inanclari ile problem cozme becerileri arasindaki iliskiler [The relationships among epistemological beliefs and problem solving skills of university students]. Ahi Evran University Journal of Kırsehir Education Faculty (JKEF), 8(1), 31-50.
• Aldan Karademir, C., Cayli, B., & Deveci, O. (2016). Ogretmen adaylarinin sorgulama becerileri ve meraklilik duzeyleri [Pre-service teachers’ inquiry skills and curiosity levels]. IIIrd International Eurasian Educational Research Congress (pp. 1518-1519). Mugla: Mugla Sitki Kocman University.
• Altuncekic, A., Yaman, S., & Koray, O. (2005). Ogretmen adaylarinin oz-yeterlik inanc duzeyleri ve problem cozme becerileri uzerine bir arastirma (Kastamonu ili ornegi) [The research on prospective teachers’ selfefficacy belief level and problem solving skills]. Kastamonu University Kastamonu Education Journal, 13(1), 93-102.
• Alver, B. (2005). Universite ogrencilerinin problem cozme becerilerinin ve akademik basarilarinin cesitli degiskenlere gore incelenmesi [Examining the problem solving skills and academic achievement of the university students according to various variables]. Marmara University Journal of Educational Sciences, 21(21), 75-88
• Aslan, O., & Sagir, S. U. (2012). Fen ve teknoloji ogretmen adaylarinin problem cozme becerileri [Pre-service teachers’ problem solving skills]. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 9(2), 82-94.
• Aylar, F., & Aksin, A. (2011). Sosyal Bilgiler Ogretmen Adaylarinin Oz-Yeterlilik Inanc Duzeyleri ve Problem Cozme Becerileri Uzerine Bir Arastirma (Amasya Ornegi) [The research on self-efficiency belief level and problem solving skills of social studies pre-service teachers (amasya sample)]. Ahi Evran University Journal of Kirsehir Education Faculty (JKEF), 12(3), 299-313.
• Baker, S. R. (2003). A Prospective Longitudinal Investigation of Social Problem Solving Appraisals on Adjustment to University, Stress, Health and Academic Motivation and Performance. Personality and Individual Differences, 35(3), 569-591.
• Bakioglu, B., Kucukaydin, M. A., & Karamustafaoglu, O. (2015). Ogretmen adaylarinin bilisotesi farkindalik duzeyi, problem cozme becerileri ve teknoloji tutumlarinin incelenmesi [Investigation of prospectıve teachers’ metacognitive awareness levels, problem solving skills and attitudes towards technology]. Trakya University Journal of Education, 5(1), 22-33.
• Berlyne, D. E. (1978). Curiosity and learning. Motivation and emotion, 2(2), 97-175.
• Britz, J. (1993). Problem solving in early childhood classrooms. ERIC Digest. ED355040.
• Buyukozturk, S., Kilic Cakmak, E., Akgun, O. E., Karadeniz, S., & Demirel, F. (2011). Bilimsel arastirma yontemleri. [Scientific research methods]. Ankara: Pegem Academy.
• Cevik, D. (2011). Muzik ogretmeni adaylarinin cesitli degiskenlere gore problem cozme becerileri [Problem solving skills of pre-service music teachers based on various variables]. Kastamonu University Kastamonu Education Journal, 19(3), 1003-1012.
• Darancik, A. (2018). Merak duygusu ile etkili yabanci dil ogretimi [Curiosity and effective language teaching]. Turkish Studies, 13(4), 421-437.
• Demirel, M., & Diker Coskun, Y. (2009). Universite ogrencilerinin meraklilik duzeylerinin bazi degiskenler acisindan incelenmesi [İnvestigation of curiosity levels of university students in terms of some variables]. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Faculty of Education, 9(18), 111-134.
• Deringol, Y., Yaman, Y., Ozsari, I., & Gulten, D. C. (2010). Ilkogretim ogretmen adaylarinin meraklilik duzeylerinin incelenmesi [Investigation of the curiosity levels of primary school teachers]. International Conference on New Trends in Education and Their Implications (pp. 492-497). Antalya: Akdeniz University.
• Dundar, S. (2009). Universite Ogrencilerinin Kisilik Ozelikleri ile Problem Cozme Becerileri Arasindaki Iliskinin Incelenmesi [Analyzing the relationship between problem solving skills and personality characteristics of university students]. Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Journal, 24(2), 139-150.
• D’ Zurilla, T. J., & Nezu, A. M. (1987). The Heppner and Krauskopf approach: A model of personal problem solving or social skills. The Counseling Psychologist, 15(3), 463-470.
• Fraenkel, J. R., & Wallen N. E. (1993). How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education. Singapore: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
• Genc, S. Z., & Kalafat T. (2007). Ogretmen adaylarinin demokratik tutumlari ile problem cozme becerilerinin cesitli degiskenler acisindan incelenmesi [The research on evaluation of prospective teachers’ democratic attıtudes and problem solving skills according as different variables]. Pamukkale University Journal of Education, 22(2), 10-22.
• Genc, S. Z., & Kalafat, T. (2010). Ogretmen adaylarinin empatik becerileri ile problem cozme becerileri [Prospective teachers’ problem solving skills and emphatic skills]. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science, 3(2), 135-147.
• Gulten, D. C., Ozsari, I., Yaman, Y., & Deringol, Y. (2010). Matematik, fen bilgisi, sosyal bilgiler ve sinif ogretmen adaylarinin bilgisayar oz-yeterlik algilari ile meraklilik duzeyleri arasindaki iliski [The relationship between curiosity level and computer self efficacy beliefs of mathematics, science and elementary teachers candidates]. International Conference on New Trends in Educationand Their Implications, Akdeniz University (pp. 485-491). Antalya: Akdeniz University.
• Gurleyuk, G. C. (2008). Sinif ogretmeni adaylarinin cesitli degiskenler acisindan elestirel dusunme egilimleri, problem cozme becerileri ve akademik basari duzeylerinin incelenmesi [The analysis of critical thinking disposition, problem solving abilities and academic achievement levels of primary school teacher candidates with respect to some variables] (Unpublished master’s thesis). Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
• Inel, D., Evrekli, E., & Turkmen, L. (2011). Sinif ogretmeni adaylarinin problem cozme becerilerinin arastirilmasi [Researching of pre-service elementary teachers’ problem solving skills]. Pamukkale University Journal of Education, 29(1), 167-178.
• Jaffee, B. W., & D'Zurilla, T. J. (2003). Adolescent Problem Solving, Parent Problem Solving and Externalizing Behavior in Adolescents. Behaviour Therapy, 34(3) , 295-311.
• Kara, K. (2008). Ilkogretim 3. sinif hayat bilgisi dersinde sorgulama merkezli etkinliklerle yapilan proje calismalarindaki ogrenci performansinin degerlendirilmesi [The evaluation of student performance on the projects which are based on inquiry in the third grade life studies course] (Unpublished master’s thesis). Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
• Kashdan, T. B., Rose, P., & Fincham, F. D. (2004). Curiosity and exploration: facilitating positive subjective experiences and personal growth opportunities. Journal of personality assessment, 82(3), 291-305.
• Kesicioglu, O. S., & Guven, G. (2014). Okul oncesi ogretmen adaylarinin oz-yeterlik duzeyleri ile problem cozme, empati ve iletisim becerileri arasindaki iliskinin incelenmesi [Investigation of the correlation between preservice early childhood teachers' self-efficacy levels and problem solving, empathy and communication skills]. Electronic Turkish Studies, 9(5), 1371–1383.
• Kiremitci, O. (2011). Beden egitimi ogretmen adaylarinin ustbilissel farkindalik ve problem cozme becerileri arasindaki iliskinin incelenmesi [Examining the relationship between teacher awareness and problem solving skills of physical education pre-service teachers]. Journal of physical education and sport science, 13(1), 92-99.
• Korkmaz, O., & Usta, E. (2010). Ogretmen adaylarinin ogretmenlik meslegine karsi tutumlari ile algiladiklari etkilesim-izlenme kaygilari ve problem cozme becerileri arasindaki iliski [The relationship between teacher candidates' attitudes towards teaching profession and their relationship between observation and problem solving skills]. Turkish Journal of Social Research, 14(3), 109-130.
• Kurtbas, D. (2011). Akademisyenlerin maruz kaldiklari psikolojik siddet ile orgutsel baglilik arasindaki iliski kamu ve vakif universitelerinde bir arastirma [Organizational commitment to the relationship between psychological violence scholars are exposed to public and the research foundation universities] (Unpublished master’s thesis). Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
• Kurtyilmaz, Y. (2005). Ogretmen adaylarinin saldirganlik duzeyleri ile akademik basarilari, iletisim ve problem cozme becerileri arasindaki iliskiler (Anadolu universitesi ve Osman Gazi universitesi ogrencileri uzerinde bir arastirma) [Relationship between teacher trainess’ aggression levels and academic achievement, communication skills, problem solving skills: (an investigation on the students of Anadolu and Osmangazi University)] (Unpublished master’s thesis). Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey.
• Litman, J. A., & Pezzo, M. V. (2007). Dimensionality of interpersonal curiosity. Personality and individual differences, 43(6), 1448-1459.
• Litman, J. A., & Spielberger, C. D. (2003). Measuring epistemic curiosity and its diversive and specific components. Journal of personality assessment, 80(1), 75-86.
• Maw, W. H., & Maw, E. W. (1966). Children’s curiosity and parental attitudes. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 28(3), 343-345.
• MEB, (2018a). Matematik dersi ogretim programi (Ilkokul ve ortaokul 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ve 8. siniflar). [Maths teaching program (Primary and Secondary School 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8th grades)]. Ankara: Ministry of National Education.
• MEB, (2018b). Sosyal bilgiler dersi ogretim programi (Ilkokul ve ortaokul 4, 5, 6, 7. siniflar). [Social Sciences teaching program (Primary and Secondary School 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8th grades)]. Ankara: Ministry of National Education.
• MEB, (2018c). Hayat bilgisi dersi ogretim programi (Ilkokul 1, 2 ve 3. siniflar). [Life science course teaching program(Primary School 1, 2 and 3th grades]. Ankara: Ministry of National Education.
• Nataraj, P. N., & Manjula, M. (2012). A study of problem solving ability among the matriculation school students. International Journal of Teacher Educational Research levels of Intelligence. Indian Educational Review, 1, 38-40.
• Otacioglu, S. G. (2008). Muzik egitimi bolumu ogrencilerinin problem cozme, ozguven duzeyleri ile calgi basarilarinin karsilastirilmasi [Comparison of problem solving, self-confidence levels and instrument achievement of music education students]. Selcuk University Journal of Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, 26, 143 -154.
• Ozkutuk, N., Silku, A., Orgun, F., & Yalcinkaya M. (2003). Ogretmen adaylarinin problem cozme becerileri [The problem-solving skills of teacher candidates]. Ege Journal of Education, 2(3), 1-9.
• Piaget, J. (1963). The origins of intelligence in children, New York: WW Norton.
• Piji Kucuk, D. (2012). Muzik ogretmenligi anabilim dali ogrencilerinin iletisim ve problem cozme becerileri [Communication and problem solving skills of students of music teaching department]. Gazi University Journal of Gazi Educational Faculty (GUJGEF), 32(1), 33-54.
• Sahin, N., Sahin, N. H., & Heppner, P. P. (1993). Psychometric properties of the problem solving inventory in a group of Turkish university students. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 17(4), 379-396.
• Sara, P. (2012). Sinif ogretmeni adaylarinin ogrenme ve ders calisma stratejileri, problem cozme becerileri ve denetim odagi duzeylerinin cesitli degiskenler acisindan incelenmesi [A study on primary school candidate teachers' learning and study strategies, problem solving skills and locus of control in terms of various variables] (Unpublished master’s thesis). Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.
• Saracaloglu, A. S., Yenice, N., & Karasakaloglu, N. (2009). Ogretmen adaylarinin iletisim ve problem cozme becerileri ile okuma ilgi ve aliskanliklari arasindaki iliski [The relationship between communication and problem solving skills and reading interest and habits of candidate teachers’]. Van Yuzuncu Yil University Journal of Education, 6(2), 187-206.
• Secer, I. (2015). Psikolojik test gelistirme ve uyarlama sureci: SPSS ve LISREL uygulamalari. [Psychological test development and adaptation process: SPSS and LISREL applications]. Ankara: Ani Publishing.
• Senemoglu, N. (2005). Gelisim ve ogrenme. [Development and learning ]. Ankara: Gazi Publishing.
• Sukhodolsky, G. D., Golub, A., Stone, E. C., & Orban, L. (2005). Dismantling Anger Control Training for Children: A Randomized Pilot Study of Social Problem-Solving Versus Social Skills Training Components. Behaviour Therapy, 36(1), 115-24.
• Tamres, L. K., Janicki, D., & Helgeson, V. S. (2002). Sex differences in coping behavior: A meta-analytic review and an examination of relative coping. Personality and social psychology review, 6(1), 2-30.
• TDK, (2018, June 20). Curiosity. Retrieved from http://www.tdk.gov.tr/.
• Tumkaya, S., & Iflazoglu, U. A. (2000). C U Sinif ogretmenligi ogrencilerinin otomatik dusunce ve problem cozme duzeylerinin bazi sosyo demografik degiskenlere gore incelenmesi [An investigation of automatic thought and problem solving levels of students in classroom teaching unit of cukurova university according to some socio-demographic variables]. Cukurova University Institute Of Social Sciences Journal, 6(6), 143-158.
• Unal, H. (2005). The influence of curiosity and spatial ability on preservice middle and secondary mathematics teachers’ understanding of geometry, (Unpublished Doctoral Dissertion). Florida State University, Florida, USA.
• Whitesides, G. M. (2018). Curiosity and science. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 57(16), 4126-4129.
• Yenice, N. (2012). Ogretmen adaylarinin oz-yeterlik duzeyleri ile problem cozme becerilerinin incelenmesi [Investigating the self-efficacy and problem solving skills of preservice teachers]. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 11(39), 36- 58.
• Yetkin, D., & Dascan, O. (2008). Ilkogretim Programi, Son Degisiklikleriyle. [Primary Education Curriculum, Recent Changes]. Ankara: Ani Publishing.
• Yildirim, H. I., & Yalcin, N. (2008). Elestirel dusunme becerilerini temel alan fen egitiminin fen bilgisi ogretmen adaylarinin problem cozme becerilerine etkisi [The effect of science education based on critical thinking skills on prospective science teachers’ problem solving skills]. Gazi University Journal of Gazi Educational Faculty (GUJGEF), 28(3), 165-187.