Browsing by Author "Kiran, Betul Ekiz"

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A Closer Examination of the Stem Characteristics of the Stem Activities Published in Nsta Journals
(Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2024) Gunbatar, Sevgi Aydin; Kiran, Betul Ekiz; Boz, Yezdan; Roehrig, Gillian H.
Background Based on the literature review, shared characteristics of integrated STEM (I-STEM) curriculum includes an engaging and motivating context, student participation in engineering design activities, opportunity to redesign, engaging in mathematics or science content, having student-centred pedagogies, and teamwork and communication. These principles and more were used to analyse STEM activities published in NSTA journals. Purpose It was to determine the extent to which the STEM activities published in three NSTA journals (Science and Children, Science Scope, and The Science Teacher) between the years 2013 and 2020 reflected the shared characteristics of I-STEM education. Sample A total of 161 STEM teaching activities were analysed during the study. Methods A STEM rubric (abbreviated as RACSTEM) developed by the authors. Expert panel reviews and intercoder agreement calculations provided support for the content validity and reliability of RACSTEM. The rubric was composed of seven main categories, namely, integrating different disciplines, real-world problem, learner-centeredness, teamwork, communication, redesign, and assessment. STEM activities were analysed based on RACSTEM through content analysis and reported using descriptive statistics. Results Different combinations of STEM and non-STEM disciplines were integrated into the activities. 76% of the activities included real-world problems. Learner centred strategies (e.g. project-based learning) were utilized in 81% of the STEM papers. In 94% of the papers, students mostly participated in group work. Analysis revealed that 58% of the papers asked learners what they would change at the redesign stage. Finally, in the assessment aspect, the most problematic one, results showed discrepancies between the integrative nature of STEM and its assessment. Conclusion It was unclear how many I-STEM activities were published in NSTA publications that fit the requirements for I-STEM once the NGSS was launched. The findings of this study, as well as the development of the RACSTEM instrument, seem to have the ability to resolve ambiguity.
Supporting Pre-Service Teachers' Integration of Engineering Into Stem Lessons Throughout Engineering-Infused Training
(Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2024) Gunbatar, Sevgi Aydin; Oztay, Elif Selcan; Kiran, Betul Ekiz
Background Training both pre - and in-service teachers who are capable of planning and enacting engineering design-based science instruction are critical for integrating engineering into K-12 science curricula. Purpose This study investigates pre-service teachers' efforts to integrate engineering into their lesson plans. Sample 13 pre-service chemistry teachers, enrolled in a 13-week engineering-infused integrated STEM course, were the participants of the study. Design and Method Considering the purpose of the study, qualitative design was deemed to be the best fit including qualitative data collected through lesson plans and reflection papers. To assist pre-service teachers' learning, 13-week engineering-infused integrated STEM was started with the information about the engineering profession and how engineers work. Additionally, pre-service teachers engaged in six integrated STEM activities including engineering design cycle. After each activity, the participants were asked to write a reflection paper on what they learned about engineering, the engineering design process, and integrated STEM. Finally, the participants had three chances for analyzing strong and weak integrated STEM lesson plans and planning integrated STEM lesson planning experience with mentors. The pre-and post-course lesson plans (n=26) were analyzed using existing codes from the related literature, which is a deductive coding process. Later, an inductive approach was used to determine the categories of engineering integration into the lesson plans. Four categories (ranging from a complete engineering lesson to a science lesson with no engineering link) were formed. Reflection papers were used to support the findings. Result The results showed that none of the pre-plans included engineering. However, after participated in a 13-week integrated STEM course, all post-course lesson plans integrated engineering through the use of engineering design processes to some extent. Conclusion The training with different experiences seems promising for pre-service teachers to learn engineering integration into STEM lesson plans.
A Systematic Review of Green and Sustainable Chemistry Training Research With Pedagogical Content Knowledge Framework: Current Trends and Future Directions
(Royal Soc Chemistry, 2025) Gunbatar, Sevgi Aydin; Kiran, Betul Ekiz; Boz, Yezdan; Oztay, Elif Selcan
This study reviewed the green and sustainable chemistry education (GSCE) research that provided training at the tertiary level from 2000 to 2024. The Web of Science and ERIC databases were screened using title and abstract review. In total, 49 studies were analysed. The analysis instrument has two main parts, namely, general characteristics of the training, which was formed in light of the GSCE literature (i.e., chemistry sub-disciplines, type of implementation, and context), and analysis of the training through the lens of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) construct that is the commonly-used framework for the analysis of training regarding orientation to teaching GSCE, learner, curriculum, assessment, and instructional strategies utilised. Results showed that organic chemistry (n = 15) is the most emphasised branch of chemistry in the articles. Regarding the learner component, the studies were inadequate, and very few studies provided information about the misconceptions and difficulties that students may encounter while learning GSC. Regarding the curriculum component, among the green chemistry principles, 'use of renewable feedstocks' was the most emphasised, while the least emphasised ones were 'reduce derivatives' and 'real-time pollution prevention'. Fourteen studies used subject-specific teaching strategies (e.g., cooperative teaching and project-based strategies). Although representations are not used in GSCE, most of the studies included laboratory studies (n = 31). Finally, regarding the assessment, very few studies focused on measuring students' skills (laboratory skills, discussion skills, etc.) and affective variables. In light of the findings, GSCE training should get more benefit from the literature on science/chemistry teaching strategies. Moreover, alternative assessment tools (e.g., rubrics and concept maps) should be utilized regarding the instruments utilized to assess the participants' GSC knowledge.