Examining the Effects of Geography Lessons Taught with Place Based Teaching to Science Process Skills for Classroom Teacher Candidates

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine the effects of the General Geography lessons, which are taught by using place, based teaching activities, on the science process skills for classroom teacher candidates. A nested pattern, which is one of the mix method research patterns, is used for this research. The quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test control group is used in the quantitative part, which is in accordance with the mixed method research; whereas in qualitative part, case study is used. The study group of the research consists of first year teacher candidates who study at Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Department of Classroom Teaching. In the experimental group of the study, in accordance with the place based teaching activities, the General Geography lesson was taught outside the classroom for 4 weeks, and in the control group, the course was taught in the classroom in accordance with the program. As a result of the research, between the experimental group and control group students, no significant difference is found in pre-test, while a significant difference is found in post-test. A significant difference is found between the pre test-post test average points, in favor of post-test, regarding science process skills of the students in the experimental group.