The effect of a drill and practice software material on 6th grade students’ conceptual understandings on cell concept

Abstract

Abstract: For this study, a drill and practice software material was developed for “The Cell” concept of 6th grade of Science and Technology course and its effect on the conceptual understandings of students was investigated. The study was quasi-experimental with a model of posttest with control group. The study was performed with 144 sixth grade students in total, who study in a secondary school during the spring semester of 2014- 2015 academic years. The experimental group (N=72) and the control group (N=72) were determined randomly. Drill and practice software material was used in the experimental group and traditional methods were used in the control group. "The Cell Conceptual Understanding Test" developed by the researchers was used in the study in order to identify the conceptual understanding levels of 6th grade students. After the implementation there was a significant difference between the experimental and the control groups in favor of the experimental group in terms of conceptual understandings In addition, It was observed that the students got interested in the software they used. Keywords: Computer assisted instruction, Drill and practice software, Cell, Conceptual understanding