A small-scale study comparing the impacts of problem-based learning and traditional methods on student satisfaction in the introductory physics course


SEZGİN SELÇUK G., ÇALIŞKAN S.

2nd World Conference on Educational Sciences (WCES-2010), İstanbul, Turkey, 4 - 08 February 2010, vol.2, pp.809-813 identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Volume: 2
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.03.108
  • City: İstanbul
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.809-813
  • Keywords: Physics education, pre-service teacher education, problem-based learning, student satisfaction, traditional instruction
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a small-scale study comparing the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) and traditional methods on student teachers' satisfaction with an introductory physics course. The participants in the study were 25 first-year student teachers taking an introductory physics course. In this study, the pre-test/post-test experimental method with an equivalent control group was used. There was one control (n=12) and one experimental group (n=13). The experimental group received physics instruction in PBL format, whereas the control group received traditional instruction. The data were collected using the Student Satisfaction Scale (SSS). Results indicate that the experimental group was more satisfied than the control group. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.