Opinions Of Teacher Candidate On Small Group Discussions In Argumentation Applications
Abstract
The study was performed with 3rd year university students receiving the science teaching
laboratory applications I and II courses given by the same instructor during 2014-2015
academic year. The participants were included in the study on a voluntary basis. Semi-structured
interviews were held with 24 students who had participated in argumentation applications in
both semesters. The students were asked questions regarding benefits and harms of working in
small groups, duties of the teacher and students in this process, reasons behind their willingness
or unwillingness to use this method in future. The data were encoded and themes were created
after transcribing the interviews. As a result of the assessment, the students expressed that
small group discussions had more advantages than disadvantages. They also stated that
these applications positively affected their improvement. Considering that changes which the
students observed in themselves were learning more easily, being able to cooperate, having
improved communication skill, a critical perspective and awareness, it can be said that small
group discussions contribute to the goal of raising science literate individuals.
Keywords
References
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