Fen Egitiminde Probleme Dayali Ögrenme Yaklasiminin Akademik Basari ve Motivasyona Etkisi

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of problem-based learning approach of "Matter and Heat" unit taking place in science and technology course involved in the curriculum of the 6th grade on the students' academic success and motivation towards science and technology course. The research was designed and implemented according to "pretest-posttest control group" experimental model. 6-A class (N=16) attending Büyükkarakarli Primary School, Hayrabolu county, Tekirdag was determined as the experimental group intentionally biased by the researcher in the second semester of 2009-2010 academic year. 6-A class (N=20) attending Hüseyin Korkmaz Primary School, Hayrabolu county, Tekirdag was determined randomly among three sections of the 6th class as the control group. While problem-based learning approach was implemented for the experimental group; traditional approaches were applied in the control group. While implementing problem-based learning approach for the experimental group, problem scenarios developed by the researcher were used. "Academic Achievement Test" and "Science and Technology Course Motivation Scale" were used as the data collection tools. By means of data analysis, it is found out that problem-based learning approach is more effective than traditional method in terms of developing academic success on science and technology course and motivation towards this course.