International Journal of Progression and Development in Education (ijpade)

The Effect of Using Web 2.0 Tools in Science Education on Students' Academic Achievement

2025-05-03T00:23:17+03:00

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of science instruction supported by Web 2.0 tools on the academic achievement of 7th grade middle school students. In the implementation conducted within the scope of the "Pure Substances and Mixtures" unit, lesson plans based on the 5E model enriched with Web 2.0 tools were applied to the experimental group, while in the control group, the contents of the Ministry of National Education’s textbook were implemented in accordance with the 5E model. The study was conducted using a pretest-posttest control group experimental design, and the sample consisted of 77 seventh-grade students studying at a public school in Erzincan. Data were collected through the "Pure Substances and Mixtures Academic Achievement Test"; appropriate statistical tests were applied based on the results of normality analyses. According to the findings, the post-test scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group. In addition, a significant difference was observed between the pretest and posttest scores within the experimental group itself. These results suggest that instruction supported by Web 2.0 tools is effective in enhancing students' academic achievement.

A Meta Synthesis Study on Graduate Theses on Speaking Skills in Teaching Turkish as a Foreign Language

2025-06-18T15:01:28+03:00

The aim of this study is to examine master's and doctoral theses focusing on speaking skills in the teaching of Turkish as a foreign language, prepared at universities in Türkiye between 2010 and 2024, using a meta-synthesis method, and to reveal trends in the field. This qualitative research employed document analysis to review 37 graduate theses. The data were analyzed through thematic content analysis, and the findings were classified under five main themes: student, teacher, method/strategy/technique, material/learning environment, and curriculum/program. According to the results, speaking skill emerges as the most challenging language skill to acquire for foreign learners; it was found that the methods used in the teaching process, the teacher’s approach, and the diversity of materials have a direct impact on students’ achievement levels. Moreover, it is understood that cultural elements should be incorporated into speaking activities and that assessment should be conducted in a structured manner. Accordingly, it is recommended to increase student-centered practices, strengthen teachers’ professional competencies, and make curriculum adjustments based on communicative competence. This study offers a holistic perspective on the teaching of speaking skills in Turkish as a foreign language and provides guidance for future practices and research.

The Role of Social Studies Education in Building a Pandemic-Resilient Society

2025-06-03T14:35:25+03:00

The Social Studies course aims to educate students as active citizens who are sensitive to their environment and country. In this context, the social effects of biological disasters such as pandemics are not only a concern of natural sciences but also of social sciences, requiring a multidimensional approach. This study investigates the role of Social Studies education in coping with pandemics within the scope of disaster education. A basic qualitative research design was adopted. The study group consisted of 18 students and 5 teachers selected through criterion sampling from a middle school in Ankara. Data were collected using semi-structured interview forms tailored for students and teachers, as well as student-created cartoons. Descriptive analysis was employed to interpret the data. The findings indicated that students linked the Social Studies course to pandemic-related themes such as compliance with social rules, awareness of rights and responsibilities, communication skills, and media literacy. It was found that students particularly benefited from the “Individual and Society” and “Science, Technology and Society” learning domains. Teachers noted that the pandemic's relevance to real life, the interdisciplinary nature of the course, and its verbal structure supported the course’s effectiveness in addressing pandemic-related issues. However, they also emphasized the lack of specific content on pandemics and the insufficiency of class hours, suggesting the need for curricular improvement. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of Social Studies education in raising disaster-aware individuals and underline the necessity of using relevant learning domains effectively. Recommendations are offered for researchers and practitioners.

The Metaphors Gifted Students Attribute to the Concept of Digital Citizenship

2025-06-03T14:25:01+03:00

This study aims to identify the metaphors developed by gifted students attending Science and Art Centers (SAC) in Türkiye regarding the concept of digital citizenship. The research was designed using the case study model, one of the qualitative research approaches. The study group consisted of 100 students, all officially diagnosed as gifted and currently studying in grades 5 through 8 at SAC institutions. Data were collected through a form containing a single open-ended question: “Digital citizenship is like … because …”. The collected data were analyzed using the content analysis method. To enhance the reliability of the analysis, the coding process was carried out independently by two researchers, and the inter-coder reliability was calculated as 91.6%. As a result of the analysis, 20 different metaphors developed by the students were identified and grouped under four main themes: guidance and counseling, reflection and identity, ethical responsibility and development, and protection and security. Based on the research findings, eight key recommendations were proposed: integrating ethical responsibility into digital citizenship education, developing guidance and counseling methods, providing training on digital identity and security, utilizing metaphorical thinking techniques, encouraging continuous development and adaptation, fostering social responsibility and awareness, implementing digital safety and identity protection education, and ensuring the active involvement of families and the broader community in digital citizenship education. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating gifted students’ perceptions of the digital world into educational programs and demonstrate that metaphor analysis is an effective method for gaining in-depth insights into their values and levels of digital awareness.