Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 8, Issue 2, Article 5 (Dec., 2007) Gülcan ÇETİN English and Turkish pupils’ understanding of decomposition Contents Next

English and Turkish pupils’ understanding of decomposition

Gülcan ÇETİN

Balıkesir University, Necatibey Faculty of Education
Department of Secondary Science and Mathematics Education
10100 Balıkesir, TURKEY

E-mail: gcetin@balikesir.edu.tr; gulcan_cetin@hotmail.com

Received 8 June, 2007
Revised 26 Dec., 2007

Contents

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Method
  • Schools and subjects
  • Data collection
  • Data analyses
• Results and Discussion
  • Decomposition of organic molecules
  • Decomposition of biodegradable materials and non-biodegradable materials
  • A general contrast of students' levels of understanding about decomposition
• Conclusion
• References

---

Abstract

This study aimed to describe seventh grade English and Turkish students’ levels of understanding of decomposition. Data were analyzed descriptively from the students’ written responses to four diagnostic questions about decomposition. Results revealed that the English students had considerably higher sound understanding and lower no understanding than the Turkish students while the he Turkish students’ level of misunderstanding of decomposition was lower than those of the English students. The English and Turkish students’ responses tended to show similar partial understanding in explaining decomposition. Difference between levels of understandings was significant according to result of chi-square test.

Keywords: Ecology, Decomposition, Misconceptions.

---

Copyright (C) 2007 HKIEd APFSLT. Volume 8, Issue 2, Article 5 (Dec., 2007). All Rights Reserved.