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The aim of this study was to determine pre-service elementary school teachers' capabilities of deciding the viewpoint and perspective in geometrical drawing. The study examined geometrical drawings the participants did on isometric paper. This is a case study, a qualitative study method, and the study data were analyzed using written documents. The study sample included 34 senior students in the Education Faculty's Elementary School Teaching Program at a Turkish public university. They were selected from approximately 205 pre-service teachers. The students participated in the study on a voluntary basis. The study results revealed that the pre-service teachers generally had weak skills in geometrical drawing. The participants had better skills in building structures which they saw from the air using unit blocks, and forming a structure of which they had the direct views (left and right; front and back) using unit blocks. However, the participants had weaker skills in drawing the direct views of the structures they had built, recognizing the connections between the left-right views and front-back views of the structures and drawing the structures they built on isometric paper in perspective.

The purpose of this study was to determine the trends of recent research papers in foreign language teaching in Turkish context and to give ideas to researchers and policy makers for future studies. Content Analysis method was used in this study. The focus of the study was 189 research papers published between 2009-2013 years in journals indexed in SSCI (94) and the ULAKBIM (95) database in Turkey. Research Papers Classification Form was used as data collection instrument. The papers were scanned in terms of year of the journal, authors, language of the paper, journal index, topic of the paper, research design, data collection tools, sample, sample size and data analysis method. The results revealed that the most frequently studied topics on foreign language teaching and learning from 2009 to 2013 were concept analysis, teaching and learning, the highest number of articles were published in 2013, most of the authors were Turkish, majority of the articles were published in English, quantitative method was used more than qualitative method in research design, undergraduates were the focus of attention as sample group and 31-100 sample size was preferred more than others. An appendix presents the titles of the journals scanned in this study (2009-2013).

The purpose of this study is to compare primary school 5th-class students' electronic text reading performance, reading speed and reading comprehension with tablet PCs and printed books. This study examined a sample of 20 students. The students were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and a treatment group. The control group students read ordinary printed books, and the students in the treatment group read the same text on an electronic tablet PC display. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools were used for the study. Qualitative data were collected on the reading speed and reading comprehension skills for both groups of students. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the groups in reading speed or the level of reading comprehension. Students' opinions on tablet PCs and recommendations for future studies are also discussed.

Content analysis of the studies of both Turkish and foreign authors on PBL in science education in national and international journals was made considering such variables as the research subject, method, sample, diversity of data collection tools and the data analysis methods. To this end, content analysis of 104 papers - 42 by Turkish authors and 62 by foreign authors - which were carried out between the years 1986-2012, was made. All these papers were accessed in full text. It was identified that in 40.4% of the studies whose content analysis was made, the focus was on the effect of PBL on learning, while in 35.6% the focus was on concept analysis. It is seen that while Turkish authors worked on teaching studies in 59.5% of their studies, foreign authors focused on concept analysis in 41.9% of their studies. Also while Turkish authors mostly preferred quantitative research methods (61.9%) in their studies, foreign authors preferred qualitative research methods (66.1%). The commonly used data collection tools for Turkish authors were questionnaire and achievement test, while foreign authors preferred interview and alternative data collection tools. In terms of choosing a sample group, it is seen that studies with undergraduate and secondary school students (9-12) were referred more often. The findings of the study reveal that studies on PBL were not very common in our country until 2005; that they reached the highest number between the years 2005-2009, and that foreign authors published the highest number of papers in 2006. While the foreign authors had a superiority over Turkish authors in terms of their papers on PBL in science education until 2005, it is seen that as of 2005, except the year 2006, the number of papers of Turkish authors has been equal to/higher than the number of papers by foreign authors until 2012. Besides, it is also identified that most of these studies were mixed and in the field of chemistry education. It is believed that this study is significant in terms of providing an opinion to young researchers working in the field of PBL and to those who are planning to work in the field.

The purpose of this study was to examine how prospective middle school science teachers understood and identified types of scientific knowledge in a presented vignette. Also, their definitions and views of the relationships between types of scientific knowledge (i.e. scientific facts, concepts, generalizations, theories, and scientific laws) were investigated through open-ended questions. Additionally, participants were given the Nature of Scientific Knowledge Scale (NSKS) after they responded to the open-ended questions. Therefore both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained about their understandings and views about scientific knowledge. Thirty-six participants responded the questionnaires at the end of the spring semester 2005. During this semester participants were in their junior year and enrolled in a "history and nature of science" course in which 16th and 17th century scientific revolution and the historical background leading to those developments were discussed. Participants received no specific instruction about the definitions of types of scientific knowledge like theories and laws. Analysis of the quantitative data obtained via NSKS show that participants hold a view favoring the tentativeness of scientific knowledge and mostly appreciate the developmental nature of science. While, on the other hand, analysis of the qualitative data obtained through the open-ended questions illustrate that participants hold a stepwise development view in science assigning the tentativeness in science to theories and lower steps. Overwhelmingly they emphasize that scientific laws reflect proven truth and in a sense absolute. These findings show the usefulness of utilizing appropriate vignettes for probing views. The results are discussed in the light of existing literature and implications are provided.

Complementary schools in the United Kingdom (UK) are community organised schools with the general aim of teaching younger generations their "native" languages and cultures. However, the aims and practices of these schools are predominantly dependent on changes in the social and political contexts both in the host country (in this case the UK) as well as in the respective "home" countries of these children. This study focuses on one such Turkish complementary school in London, aiming to describe and analyse the functions of these schools more broadly, by means of a variety of perspectives and using a social constructivist approach. Data collected from official documents, participant observations, as well as interviews with parents, teachers, students and organisers of the schools, were analysed, focusing on the emerging themes in relation to the functions and practices of the schools. The analysis revealed that the official discourses, which stress the issue of underachievement amongst young people from Turkish speaking backgrounds in the UK, differ strikingly from the participants' perceptions of the functions of the school, as well as the actual teaching and learning practices found there. This discrepancy is attributed to trends in current neo-liberal educational discourses and the discourses surrounding ethnically-oriented educational provisions in the UK.

Training of beginning teacher educators has become a popular topic in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the training procedures of a new teacher educator who would be working in the division of the hearing impaired. The study was designed as action research and a new teacher educator, an experienced teacher educator and an academic experienced in the areas of hearing impairments and qualitative research participated in the study. The data collection techniques included researcher diary, documents, interviews, evaluation forms, audio and video tape recordings. The analyses revealed that the process took six phases to complete which were "observation", "evaluation under the control of the experienced teacher educator", "independent evaluation", "re-evaluation under the control of the experienced teacher educator", "semi-independent evaluation" and "full independent evaluation". It was seen that throughout the process, the roles and responsibilities of the teacher educators changed and that these changes were unique to each stage. Another finding was that the procedures were very beneficial for the researcher who was both a teacher educator and a classroom teacher.

The purpose of this research is to analyze the studies on the Remedial Education Program in Primary Schools using meta-thematic analysis. In this research, qualitative research papers containing the opinions of participants about the Remedial Education Program in Primary Schools (REPPS) were examined by reviewing using Google Scholar and TR Dizin databases. In our research, research papers were determined by making a search using the keywords "Remedial Education Program in Primary Schools" and "REPPS." As a result of the review, 12 articles published as full text, using the qualitative research model and containing participant views, were included in the research. Five themes were developed as a result of this research.

The implementation of quality assurance (QA) is one of the most challenging reform areas for Turkey due to the unique organization of its higher education system. This paper explores the development of QA systems in Turkish universities. Using a qualitative case study approach, the authors examine how Turkey accomplishes the goal of implementing QA practices at institutional, national and international levels. The data included policy documents and interviews with the Turkish Bologna Experts who shared their experience of the implementation process. The findings suggest that Turkish policy-makers and universities have made considerable progress in improving QA systems and aligning national policies with those found in other Bologna nations. We conclude that the focus of current reform should be on developing internal quality practices and encouraging participation of all stakeholders. Turkish higher education needs to find its own combination of measures that will consider historical and social characteristics of quality culture and to develop strategies befitting Turkey's conditions.

"Learner centered" term points out environments that attention to the learners brings to the educational setting. This term includes teaching practices: effort to uncover what learners think in a specific problem on hand, talking about their misconceptions and, giving them situations to readjust their ideas. In Learner centered classrooms, teachers assess different student for feedback and revision. The two major, summative and formative, assessment reveal individual students? progress continually. Teachers, in many classrooms, provide feedbacks to students are relatively rare. Feedback is most effective in learning when students have the opportunity to use it to readjust their thinking. Technology integration, a part of learner centered classroom, is support to providing feedback in effective way. This paper explores the design of learner centered classroom in relation to the interactive technology integration which is based on using mobile technology to provide effective feedback in learning environment. Higher education students used mobile interactive technology with teacher, one term, in misconception in science course. Qualitative research design was used in this research. Focus group interview method was used to get data collecting. The study findings show that mobile technology supports feedback effectively and promote student engagement in the classroom. [This paper was presented at the International Conference on Education in Mathematics, Science & Technology (ICEMST), May 19-22, 2016, Bodrum-TURKEY.]

This study examined whether teachers prioritize the use of technology. More specifically, this paper focused on how Turkish teachers think about the importance of technology and technological tools for their daily routines. The research design employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The data were collected through document analyses, interviews, and a survey. The results showed that the following factors lead teachers to prioritize the use of technology in the classroom: (a) globalization, (b) society's needs, (c) technological literacy, (d) student learning, and (e) practicability. (Contains 5 tables.)

Purpose: Providing educational services for Syrian refugee children is a new fact of life in Turkey, and the teachers who work at public schools and temporary education centers encounter some difficulties. The main purpose of this paper is to describe the problems faced in the process of educating Syrian refugee children as well as the solutions to such difficulties recommended by the teachers. Research Methods: The study was carried out using qualitative research methods and the phenomenological model to investigate the problems faced in the process of educating the Syrian students. The purposive sampling method was used in order to identify the participants. Thereafter; the plan was to interview the participants consisting of nine teachers of Syrian students. Interview forms were designed and developed by the researchers and used in the study. The content analysis technique was used during the analysis of the data. The NVivo 10 package program was used. Findings: In the study, the problems faced by the teachers were identified as a language barrier, cultural problems and discipline problems. While the teachers at the public schools appear to think that the students are on good terms with their friends, teachers and the school principal, the teachers at the temporary education centers seem to have a completely opposite view on the matter. Teachers state that they do not receive adequate support in the process of educating Syrian students and add that the students are provided with limited books and additional class support. Last, to solve these problems, the teachers recommend that the language barrier be overcome by teaching the Syrians the Turkish language, that materials and a curriculum for Turkish language education be developed, that the Syrian students be taught separately from the Turkish students, that the teachers be provided with in-service seminars, and that class populations be reduced. Implications for Research and Practice: Teaching so many refugees is a new phenomenon for Turkey. In order to properly overcome this issue, the MoNE must be in close contact with the teachers and educational institutions working in this process. Also, for the healthy functioning of this process, the need for support from both the general public and national and international organizations should not be ignored. [This article was presented at ECER 2016, "Leading Education: The Distinct Contributions of Educational Research and Researchers," in Dublin, Ireland.]

The purpose of the present study is to determine geography teachers' opinions about how often, for what reasons and for what subjects the geographic information systems (GIS) are used in geography lessons. This qualitative study was carried out based on phenomenological design. The study was conducted with 15 geography teachers servicing at different schools in a city of Turkey. The teachers' opinions were obtained via the semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher and the series of obtained data were analysed via the content analysis method. The study results showed that a great majority of the teachers did not use the GIS in their lessons and the reason for this was that they are not having sufficient knowledge about how to use them. Also, the teachers emphasised the insufficiency of possibilities, infrastructure, software and hardware. However, it was observed that all the teachers agreed on the necessity of using the GIS in geography lessons. [This paper was presented as an oral presentation in the International Symposium on Social Studies Education VI (May 4-6, 2017) in Eskisehir, Turkey.]

The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of ELT instructors working at a higher education institution in Turkey regarding integrating global citizenship education into ELT courses. The study was carried out by using phenomenological design, which is one of the qualitative studies. The data were collected using interview method and a semi-structured interview form was developed by the researcher as the data collection tool. The participants, selected on the basis of easily accessible sampling method, which is one of the purposeful sampling methods. The participants comprises of 13 English instructors who work at a higher education institution in the Central Anatolia Region in the academic year 2015-2016. Instructors' opinions were taken regarding how they described global citizenship, what were their roles and responsibilities in educating students as global citizens, how they practiced global citizenship education in their classes, and the challenges they were facing in practicing global citizenship education in ELT courses. Data were analysed with content analysis technique. Findings revealed that participants mostly focused on the "value" dimension of global citizenship such as respect, sensitivity, sense of belonging, responsibility, openness, etc. The instructors deemed their roles and responsibilities in preparing students as global citizens as an informer and role model. While most of the participants stated that they did not involve any specific teaching practices in their classes to educate students as global citizens, as they thought ELT lessons and global citizenship education were irrelevant, addressing global issues in the courses and role modelling were conducted by few instructors to promote global citizenship. Predominantly grammar-based teaching and student unwillingness were found as challenges of integrating global citizenship into ELT. As a result, it was concluded that ELT instructors have insufficient levels of knowledge, skills, attitude and action related with global citizenship education. [This paper was presented at the XI. European Conference on Social and Behavioral Sciences held in Rome on September 1-4, 2016.]

The qualitative community embraces transparent dialogue through sharing knowledge to improve rigour and develop new initiatives. In this paper, we recognise there are many complexities within qualitative research, leading to important debates. We explore the benefits and challenges, as well as the practicalities and technicalities, of conducting research that 1) employs multiple methods within the qualitative paradigm, 2) is interdisciplinary, and 3) examines a sensitive research topic 4) with a vulnerable group of participants. Specifically, when research is also 5) cross-cultural and 6) utilises participatory techniques. Through our discussion, we draw upon an existing project and examine the complexity of designing and completing intra-paradigmatic mixed methods research with children from different sociocultural contexts, underpinned by interdisciplinary perspectives, in a complex area like mental health.

Teachers play one of the most important roles in reaching learning objectives. The qualifications of teachers in an education system reflect the potential of that system and directly influence the learners' achievement. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare Danish and Swedish English teacher training programs with that of Turkey and to reveal the similarities and differences to shed light on English teacher training in Turkey. Danish and Swedish English teacher training programs are analyzed, because these countries are ranked at the top by the average level of English skills amongst adults according to English Proficiency Index. The study is qualitative in nature and document analysis method is used to collect data about the relevant countries' teacher training programs. The results of the study suggest that the duration for teaching practices and job-shadowing should be longer. In addition, graduation examination and submitting a project/thesis should be a requirement for the graduation. [This paper was presented at the International Conference on Teaching and Learning English as an Additional Language, GlobELT 2016, Antalya, Turkey, April 14-17 2016]

Kutadgu Bilig is one of the literal works that shed light on Turk-Islam history and culture. In this study, it is aimed to examine Kutagu Bilig in terms of values that are involved in social studies teaching program. In research, Kutadgu Bilig work that is written by Yusuf Has Hacip and is adopted to Turkish in today by Silahdaroglu is benefitted as a collect data tool. In data collect period, document analyze technique that is one of the qualitative research methods is used and data is evaluated by descriptive analyze. In result of study, it is reached that justice, giving importance to family unit, responsibility, scientificness and honesty values take place mostly and peace value exists least. [This study was presented at the International Symposium of Education and Values-ISOEVA 2017.]

With the changes done in the teacher training process in Turkey, the teachers who are going to begin active duty are asked to take a candidate teacher training under the supervision of an advisor teacher before they start their duty in the city they have been appointed, and these changes have been introduced in 2015-2016 academic years. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate Candidate Teacher Training being applied since 2015-2016 in our country. The study was conducted with 20 classroom teachers who were appointed as teachers in February in 2015-2016 academic years and took their candidate teacher training in Agri. Case study which is one of the qualitative research models was used in the study. Descriptive survey model was used in the study. The data of the study was collected with interviews, 6 open-ended questions prepared by the researchers were asked to the candidate teachers and the obtained answers were analyzed through content analysis. At the end of the study, the candidate teachers expressed their positive opinions on related to their experiences, their knowledge about the school work and operations in the Candidate Teacher Training Process by using the experience of the supervisor and the seminar teachers. However, it was determined that the candidate teachers confront many problems particularly in implementation. The candidate teachers expressed that a much more effective training can be applied by removing the existing problems with the recommendations they made about the process. [This study was presented in II International Social Sciences Conference (12th-14th October 2016--Agri.]

Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives plays a crucial role in developing assessments that measure higher and lower level cognitive skills. Since it is important to assess how well students master the information within the levels of the taxonomy, the present study first presents the higher and lower levels of Bloom's taxonomy and then seeks to investigate whether the exam questions of General English courses are based on both higher and lower order thinking levels. This study was carried out through qualitative methods of data collection. The findings of the study suggested that the analyzed exam papers lacked the higher level cognitive skills contained in Bloom's Taxonomy. Based on the findings, some assumptions have been made with the aim of suggesting how the exam papers which are being written or will be written should refer to Bloom's taxonomy.

The primary school Turkish program was basically built on three learning domains. These are the learning domains of verbal communication, reading and writing. The purpose of the present study is to determine primary school teachers' practices and difficulties related to students considered to have undiognosed verbal communication, reading and writing difficulties. The study used the phenomenological research design, one of the qualitative research designs. The sample of the study was composed of a total of 21 primary school teachers servicing in the province of Bayburt during the 2016-2017 educational year. The sample of the study was determined by using the maximum variation sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods. The study data was collected through using the semi-structured interview form. In the analysis of the data, the content analysis method was used. Based on the study results, it was concluded that the primary school teachers more frequently carried out the practices of "speaking in front the class about daily events" for the students having speaking difficulties, "using the smart board" for the students with listening difficulties, "one-to-one reading with the teacher" for the students with reading difficulties and "one-to-one dictation work" for the students with writing difficulties; they more frequently had problems related to the "timid behaviors" of the students with speaking difficulties, "losing attention" of the students with listening difficulties and the "poor time management skills" of the students with reading and writing difficulties; they also expected help from families in all the learning domains. [This study was presented as oral presentation in IX. International Education Research Congress.]

The aim of this research was to classify the opinions of the disabled participants and educators on Erasmus+ Key Action 2 Project on non-formal learning regarding whether they knew the meaning of non-formal learning, through which non-formal learning activities happening during the Project workshop, and whether this learning had a contribution to their personal and professional development. The research is a qualitative study with a multiple holistic case study design. Data were collected from interviews using semi-structured interview forms. At the end of the research, conclusions were classified under five themes. The first theme was that they did not know the exact meaning of non-formal learning. The second theme was that there were some non-formal learning activities which the participants were engaged in during the Project workshop. The third and fourth themes were that the non-formal learning had a positive effect on their personal and professional development. The fifth theme was metaphors they produced for non-formal learning. [This article was presented at the 9th International Congress on New Trends in Education, 10-12 May, 2018 in Antalya in Turkey.]

The purpose of this paper is to investigate teachers' opinion and metaphorical perceptions about globalization. In this paper, phenomenology one of the qualitative research type was used. 61 teachers' metaphorical perceptions about globalization were collected and interviewed with 12 teachers about globalization in education. Teachers' metaphorical perceptions about globalization were determined by a space filled question (globalization is similar to...; because ...). A semi-structured interview form has been prepared by the researchers. The opinions of the teachers can be summarized as teachers associate globalization with technology, especially with the internet. In general teachers mentioned that the effects of globalization in education are positive. Further teachers' metaphorical perceptions about globalization summarized as follows; village, market, whirlpool, family, shopping, teapot, neighborhood, technology. Withal teachers' reasons for analogy of the metaphors about globalization are grouped as; globalization as a unifying of differences concept, globalization as a communication and interaction enhancer concept, globalization as a damaging concept and globalization as an indefinite concept.

This research on mentoring phenomenon aims at putting forth the areas of mentoring need for the novice and preservice teachers. This study exhibits a pattern consisting of qualitative research model and takes as a basis the case study approach. Criteria sampling technique was used in the research due to reasons peculiar to the research. The research was conducted with primary teachers with one to five years of experience in his/her occupation as well as candidate teachers who haven't started service yet. The data was collected through interviews with novice and preservice teachers. Content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the research, it was found out that both novice and preservice teachers need mentoring on pedagogically significant matters. [This study has been delivered as a speech in "International PAEDEIA Conference: European Symposium Young Teachers as Change Agents" arranged in Gazi University Faculty of Education between 19 to 23 October 2015.]

Few studies have been conducted at the tertiary level on Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). The current study aims to gather and share preliminary data concerning CLIL in higher education at several universities in different countries. A questionnaire and brief description of the project and its objectives were emailed to all teachers at a Spanish university listed as having taught content courses in English in the last academic year, and to all the Language Center directors within the network with instructions to pass the questionnaire along to the CLIL teachers at their respective universities. The questionnaire was answered by 168 teachers, with 79% of responses (n = 133) coming from four universities in Spain, Malaysia, People's Republic (P.R.) of China, and Turkey. The questionnaire results were exported to Excel and analyzed using statistical software. This preliminary phase of the research project, in which quantitative data has been analyzed, shows that CLIL teachers are intrinsically-motivated, language proficient, and aware of the need to adapt material to the bilingual classroom. In the next, qualitative phase of the project, issues regarding English language assessment, use of L1 in the classroom and scaffolding will need to be analyzed in depth in order to propose guidelines for future good practices and bilingual teacher training. [This paper was presented at the "Jornadas Internacionales de Innovación Universitaria" ("JIIU") (International Conference on Innovation in Higher Education) (10th, Villaviciosa de Odón Campus, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain, July 11-12, 2013).]

On a multifaceted basis, this paper explores the challenges experienced by native and non-native English language teachers (NESTs and NNESTs) in a tertiary-level EFL setting in Turkey. Adopting a qualitative case study design, the data were gathered from five NESTs through interviews and from five NNESTs through hand-written accounts based on the template for challenges in ELT (TCELT), and analysed through deductive thematic analysis. The findings showed that the NESTs and NNESTs perceive similar as well as different challenges in the language preparatory program where they are co-teaching. Student-related and institutional parameters accounted for the NNESTs' problems, whereas on the part of the NESTs, teacher-related and cross-cultural factors accompanied these parameters. The findings were furthered by the teachers' elaborations on the causes and pedagogical consequences of the challenges, and their strategies for coping with them. In light of the teachers' accounts, the paper concludes by offering several suggestions for the elimination of the perceived challenges in an attempt to improve the effectiveness of the program.

Human beings do not usually recognize plants although they exist widely in their environment. This condition has been described as plant blindness in literature. The main purpose of this study is to examine pre-service elementary teachers' awareness of plants. Moreover, the study examined from which sources student-teachers gained knowledge about plants. This study was designed as a survey model. The data of the study were obtained from the questionnaire consisting of two open-ended questions. The study group of this research consisted of 308 student-teachers. The participants receive teacher training at a state university located in Turkey's Aegean coast. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for the data analysis. The results of this study revealed that pre-service elementary teachers have got symptoms of plant blindness. The source of knowledge for plants is not usually formal science education. In addition to this, the results of this study suggest that student-teachers have a tendency to form aliveness concept with animistic and anthropocentric perspectives. In the light of these results, it is highlighted that there is a need to support pre-service elementary teachers' awareness of plants to prevent young children's plant blindness. [This study was presented at the 15th International Primary Teacher Education Symposuim in Mugla Sitki Koçman University, Turkey between 11-14 May, 2016.]

Teaching of mathematics could be improved with teachers who have a strong mathematical knowledge and have an ability to reflect this knowledge on their teaching. Therefore, it is important to develop mathematics teachers' theoretical and pedagogical knowledge. This study was designed to examine pre-service secondary mathematics teachers' (PSMT) mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) in terms of function concept. In order to examine PSMT's MKT regarding function concept, case study design was used in the study. Three PSMTs', who were at the fifth year in the program, were selected as the participants. The data was collected by observing and recording PSMTs' teaching of function concept as well as by examining their lesson plan of the concept. Descriptive and content analysis were used to analyze the collected data. The results revealed that PSMTs' had limited knowledge regarding teaching of function concept. Particularly, they had difficulties to reflect their knowledge of function concept on their teaching. The results also showed that experience is directly related to teaching of function concept, time and classroom management and communication with students. Therefore, it is important to improve both in-service and pre-service teachers' MKT by considering the effect of experience and abilities in teaching. [This study was presented as an oral presentation at Türk Bilgisayar ve Matematik Egitimi Sempozyumu-3, 17- 19 May 2017, Afyon, Turkey.]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to conduct content analyses of graduate dissertations about critical thinking skills in the field of educational sciences in Turkey and to document general trends in dissertations. Research Methods: This study is constructed using qualitative research methods and techniques. A document review was used to gather data in the study. One hundred eighty-six dissertations, available from the National Dissertations Center in the Higher Education Council, have been analyzed in terms of various variables. Findings: Depending on the gathered data, it is clear that critical thinking has been studied since 1999 and a majority of the dissertations have been written for a master's degree. It is also revealed that descriptive research has been more favored than experimental research. Studies have been primarily conducted through quantitative data gathering methods. The dissertations have mainly been written by undergraduate students using primarily data collection tools consisting of scales. Implications for Research and Practice: This study reveals which theses were studied in Turkey mostly in terms of research methods, sample/study group characteristics, data collection tools, and subject areas concerning critical thinking. Therefore, new research about critical thinking should focus on experimental designs and in-depth analyses of critical thinking through qualitative methods. [This study was presented at the 2nd Eurasian Educational Research Congress in Ankara, 8-10 June, 2015.]

Purpose: The affective skills in teacher education should pay attention and look for ways to include feelings, attitudes and beliefs of teachers in the discussion of effective teachers' competencies. This paper aims to reveal the perspectives of instructors about the teacher characteristics that prospective teachers will gain after taking the teacher education, and to uncover how these characteristics are related to the affective domain. Research Methods: A survey design was employed in this paper. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to analyze the range of data collected. In the quantification of data from survey questionnaires, frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations provided some general patterns in the data. The qualitative data gathered by open ended questions were analyzed by content analysis. Findings: Results showed that there are numerous affective competencies that are essential for prospective teachers to develop such as having positive attitudes towards the teaching profession, developing empathy, sensitivity, love, self-esteem and self-concept are vital for prospective teachers. However, none of the teacher education programs fully addressed all the affective needs of prospective teachers. Implications for Research and Practice: It is expected that the findings of this paper help the instructors and education policy makers to identify effect of affective domain in teacher education programs.

In this study, the variables having impact on the student motivation have been analyzed based on the articles, conference papers, master's theses and doctoral dissertations published in the years 2000-2017. A total of 165 research papers were selected for the research material and the data were collected through qualitative research techniques through document review and content analysis. According to the research results, the most important factors affecting student motivation are the fields of teacher, teachers' classroom management skills and their teaching methods. In this research, factors having less influence on the student motivation are parental communication, student characteristics and study fields. In addition, relational search type was used more than others, mostly students were selected as the study group and most researches were conducted in USA and Turkey.

The overall purpose of this study is to explore secondary school students' images of scientists. In addition to this comprehensive purpose, it is also investigated that if these students' current images of scientists and those in which they see themselves as a scientist in the near future are consistent or not. The study was designed in line with the case study research in a qualitatively manner. The working group is of totally 175 (95 boys, 81 girls) secondary school students enrolled in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade of a public school located in the province of Adiyaman. Data were collected through drawings during the drawing activity and interviews conducted with the selected drawings' owners in order to explore images of scientists. Elements take place in the drawings which are investigated by two of science education expert and one of art expert were analyzed in accordance with certain categories appearing in the related literature. Furthermore, fifteen pictures among others were randomly selected and their owners were asked to imagine themselves as a scientist in the near future and consequently depict and draw on a paper their imagination. For further information, interviews were carried out to determine the differences between the first drawings and the second ones. It is concluded that 68% of secondary school students draw a natural scientist or scientists, 2,28% of those draw a social scientist or scientists and finally the rest draw no scientist. The rate of drawings including only one scientist is %66,85 while the rate of drawings possess more than two scientists %4,57. On the other hand, the rest of the drawings are without any scientist. There is no obvious difference in all categories selected in the context of the study according to grade level and gender. The study revealed the possibility of the fact that secondary school students' images of scientist are substantially formed by the content of prevailing mainbooks and workbooks including activities in the classrooms. When talking about scientists, the majority of the students depict a natural scientist who works more often in the laboratory, especially male and bespectacled. In addition, students mostly consider people as a scientist who work in the field of natural sciences. Consequently, doing science is an individual effort in an indoor environment rather than a set of group activity. Finally, data from interviews show that most of the students have a dream of being scientist in their future careers. [Paper presented at the Annual Congress of National Educational Sciences (23rd).]

The aim of this study is to examine studies conducted within the Movement to Increase Opportunities and Technology (FATIH) project in order to reveal the current position of the project and to determine further research gaps. A method based on thematic content analysis was used for the study. Academic studies that have been analyzed in research were obtained from databases such as the Higher Education Council (HEC) National Thesis Center, TUBITAK ULAKBIM Social and Humanities Database, ERIC, and Google Academic. A total of 137 studies were analyzed within the scope of the study. Following the examination of the papers, the study included 54 academic-study-specific criteria which were grouped under five main themes. These themes are (1) general ideas about the FATIH project; (2) views, ideas, and suggestions for the implementation of the FATIH project; (3) studies on the equipment of the FATIH project; (4) studies on the training related to the FATIH project; and (5) studies evaluating and analyzing the FATIH project. Within the scope of the FATIH project, it was seen that several studies were done under the three. As a result of this thematic content analysis, it is stated that there is a need for new studies on teacher education, hardware infrastructure, and e-content related to the FATIH project. Furthermore, it is suggested that teacher training should be provided periodically, especially for special to each course and software aspect be used in learning and teaching activities of the project should be strengthened by further diversification.

This study aims at putting forth the reasons preventing teachers from acting ethically, acting within the framework of ethical principles and having an ethical tendency. This study featuring a qualitative research model taking as a basis the case study approach followed a path of selecting people that can be a rich source of information for research instead of a random sampling to represent the universe. In this research where snowball sampling method is used datas have been obtained through negotiations with seven teachers on duty in Sinop city center. According to the results of the research, reasons preventing teachers from ethical behavior, acting within the framework of ethical principles were categorized under headings of "bureaucratic framework", "attitude of administrators", "corporate", "economic", "personal" and "occupational incompetence". [This study was submitted as an oral presentation in the 22nd National Congress on Educational Sciences held in Eskisehir Osmangazi University on 5-7 September 2013.]

In this study, Turkish text-based written examination questions posed to students in secondary schools were examined. In this research, document analysis method within the framework of the qualitative research approach was used. The data obtained from the documents consisting of written examination papers were analyzed with content analysis method. In this study, it is intended to determine whether the written examination questions asked and to measure the students' acquisition about the verbal skills in accordance with the purpose or not; whether the distribution of the written examination questions on the Barrett's taxonomy domain sublevels is balanced or not; and whether the examination questions meet the acquisitions determined in the program or not. Document review within the framework of a qualitative research method was used in this study. The study has been conducted in 43 primary schools selected from different socio-cultural districts in Kayseri province. A total of 49 written examination papers have been determined with random method among papers. During the analysis, the taxonomic scale were used, given extensive information and added to the end of research. According to the results obtained, a written exam questions used to determine students' reading comprehension skills are concentrated stage of simple understanding in the Barrett's Taxonomy, the steps of meeting the reorganizing and the satisfaction was not enough. The distribution of the written examination questions in according to Barrett's Taxonomy sublevels is not balanced.

The aim of the study is to explore the perceptions of primary school teachers and teacher candidates of the use of mass media in teaching Turkish in primary education. The data for this descriptive study is collected via semi-structured interviews--one of the qualitative data analysis methods and the collected data is analyzed by employing descriptive analysis techniques. The participants of the study consist of 20 primary school teachers and 20 teacher candidates. The results of the study reveal that the majority of the primary school teachers and teacher candidates feel incompetent in using mass media. One of the important findings of the study is that teacher candidates find the practices regarding the use of mass media in teacher education insufficient. [This article was also presented at the 5th International Conference on New Trends in Education and Their Implications--ICONTE (Antalya, Turkey, Apr 24-26 2014).]

International examination results have already influenced many countries to make radical reforms in education system. According to these results countries have been categorized as high, middle and low achievement in education. Turkey has also taken these results into consideration quite seriously and started to investigate to what extent there are similarities among the nationwide examination questions and the international examination questions. This paper presents the findings obtained from the analysis of intended and attained curriculum in Turkish science context. Secondly, the paper analyses Level Determination Examination science questions according to Piaget cognitive development theory. Finally, the paper discusses the differences and similarities between the science questions in Level Determination Examination and Program for International Students Assessment. The results reveal that most Turkish students could not attain learning outcomes in intended curriculum. Level Determination Examination science questions are usually compatible with formal operational abilities of Piaget's theory of cognitive development and they are highly similar with the questions of Program for International Students Assessment.

This paper argues that links between academia and other economic sectors are increasing, especially through intersectoral mobility of university graduates. Murray [(2010). "The Oncomouse that Roared: Hybrid Exchange Strategies as a Source of Distinction at the Boundary of Overlapping Institutions." "American Journal of Sociology" 116 (2): 341-388] has identified literature pointing both to blending and continuing co-existence of the academic and commercial worlds. Based on a European-wide study of PhD graduates in the social sciences and humanities (SSH), this paper considers the extent to which intersectoral mobility reflects blending. It finds that intersectoral communities of practice exist mainly in applied fields of knowledge. However, in many areas of the SSH, differences in institutional norms and values inhibit intersectoral mobility, particularly in mid-career stages.

The place of literary criticism in the education of pre-service English language teachers in EFL contexts is rarely discussed in the related literature. Traditional view of teaching criticism involves learning of the tenets of the critical school and applying them to literary texts. In this paper, an application of teaching criticism is discussed with examples from classroom tasks and procedures. Constructed by the researcher, the "Reward" approach stands for reading, elicitation, writing, articulating, representational study, and discussion. In "Reward," a multidisciplinary approach to reading of a literary text was used by incorporating the study of various visual arts. In this paper, the approach is applied and the evaluation is completed through surveys and qualitative data of students' (n = 80) experiences to see how learning formalist criticism affected their literary reading processes, perception, and thinking. The results of this study suggest that the overall appreciation of the students with this approach is high and the students want to learn about literature courses through similar approaches in their future literature courses. The opening passage of "Anna Karenina" and the questionnaire are appended.

This study considers probability models as tools for both making informal statistical inferences and building stronger conceptual connections between data and chance topics in teaching statistics. In this paper, we aim to explore pre-service mathematics teachers' use of probability models for a chance game, where the sum of two dice matters in winning the game. We report on an interview with a group of three pre-service teachers as they engaged in predicting and conducting experiments and computer simulations as an attempt to develop a winning strategy. This paper focuses on how the participants came to use the theoretical model of the sum of two dice as they tried to coordinate the combinatorial analysis and the use of data as evidence in their predictions.