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The aim of this study is to determine the physical fitness levels of individuals with autism by comparing them with individuals in the early and middle adolescence periods with normal development and the needs of the individuals with autism in terms of physical fitness. This study is carried out at the Selçuklu Autism Foundation, which is the largest autism education center in Turkey. It is carried out in this center with autistic individuals aged 10-17 who have received sports training for at least one year, and randomly selected individuals between the ages of 10-17 who do not do sports and show normal development. In this study, the cross-sectional survey model, one of the survey models, is used. The physical fitness levels of individuals with and without autism participating in the research are determined by the Brockport Physical Fitness Test developed by the State University of New York and some motoric test batteries. The t-test for the difference between arithmetic means in independent groups is used. The other measurement is the non-parametric Mann Witney U test. According to the study findings, a high level of significant difference is found between BMI, triceps, calf, right and left hand grip, back strength, trunk lift, long jump and one mile running values in both t-test and Mann-Whitney U results in early and middle adolescence periods. As a result, according to Brockport test values, it shows that all values of individuals with autism are physically behind the individuals with normal development. These results show that individuals with autism are shorter in stature, have higher body weights and have higher BMI values than individuals with normal development.

This study aims to investigate how Turkish students' involvement in information and communication technologies (ICT) predicts their math and science performance in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test. The research also tests demographic variables including socioeconomic status (SES) and gender as covariates. The data were examined through two-step hierarchical regression analyses. Regarding demographics, SES revealed a significant positive contribution to the prediction of math and science performance, whereas gender failed to make a significant contribution. Additionally, after controlling demographics, ICT availability at home significantly and negatively predicted student math and science performance, whilst ICT availability at school was not found to be significantly contributory. Regarding ICT use variables, all constructs significantly predicted student math and science performances, but some negatively contributed to the model, whereas others positively contributed. Amongst ICT attitude variables, all constructs made a significantly positive or negative contribution to predicting both math and science performance, with one exception. Only perceived autonomy in ICT use failed to significantly contribute to the prediction of math performance. Based on the findings, it was concluded that persistent involvement in ICT tends to be related to decreased math and science performance. We propose that policymakers and practitioners drop the myth that ICT use results in better achievement under any circumstances and should therefore refrain from integrating ICT without first undertaking careful planning.

This study aimed to assess the association of smartphone addiction with domains of the big five personality traits (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience) after controlling for individual differences such as age, gender, and amount of daily smartphone and internet use. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design, with data gathered from 494 university students using the Turkish adaptation of the Big Five Inventory and Smartphone Addiction Scale. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were applied in order to test two hypotheses. The study put forth that after controlling for the individual differences, the big five personality traits were found to significantly predict smartphone addiction. Agreeableness and conscientiousness were shown to be negative predictors, neuroticism was a positive predictor, and extraversion and openness to experience were not found to be significant predictors. The results of the study are discussed, and some implications are suggested, with revealing the relationship between personality traits and smartphone addiction aiming to help policymakers and practitioners in designing awareness raising activities in schools.

This study aims to explore preservice teachers' opinions about their instructors' use of PowerPoint slides during classes. To this end, 10 preservice teachers were selected through convenience sampling and semi-structured interviews were then conducted. The interviews were held one-by-one and audio recorded after having received permission from the interviewees. The recorded audio data was then transcribed and subsequently coded using QDA Miner Lite analytical software. Data analysis was then carried out by two researchers in order to eliminate bias and to enhance objectivity in the qualitative coding process. The findings indicated that the preservice teachers, in terms of the design and content of their instructors' PowerPoint slides, complained mostly about text inefficiency, whereas they favored the visual aids used in the slides. The findings also indicated that in terms of the perceived effects of using PowerPoint on preservice teachers' learning, they favored the slides because of their simplification of the content, using PowerPoint as multimedia, using PowerPoint slides as course notes, and for following the course content easier. On the other hand, they complained about instructors' frequently just reading from the slides verbatim. The findings of the study may inspire instructors to use PowerPoint more effectively in their classes, and thereby to become better role models to the preservice teachers they are instructing.

This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the 17-item 3-factors perceived ICT literacy scale in a sample of Turkish undergraduate students. Previous research on measuring ICT literacy mostly focused on the technical competence dimension of the ICT use. The current scale not only considers the technical literacy but it also evaluates the information literacy. The scale consists of three factors, each of which refers to one dimension of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Data were collected from 284 undergraduate students educated at different departments. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using maximum likelihood estimation procedure was applied to test the psychometric properties of the scale. Results of the CFA indicated that the scale showed acceptable levels of validity. Considering the reliability values, all the subscales and the scale as a whole showed adequate reliability values. The limitations of the scale were discussed and some implications were suggested.

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of Instructional Technology and Material Development (ITMD) course on the perceptions of teacher candidates' content development competencies with web 2.0 tools and the necessities of these tools. The embedded design, which is a type of mixed-method research design, was used in the study. The study was conducted within the scope of the ITMD course. In the course, teacher candidates were taught theoretical knowledge about instructional technology as well as practice including producing contents with web 2.0 tools. The participants of the study were 54 teacher candidates in a public university in the Department of Elementary Mathematics Teaching in Turkey. Results indicated that teacher candidates' content development competencies differed significantly between their pre- and posttest scores. However, although the pre-post difference in the score of their perceived necessities was in the expected direction, it was not significant. Results were discussed, and some implications were provided.

Non-ethical Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage may be minimized by understanding ethical problems related to the ICT. In addition, successful implementation of ICT requires not only developing practical skills about ICT but also gain basic knowledge regarding ICT ethics. However, in Turkey, only few universities offer courses about ICT ethics. Thus, the rationale behind this study is to teach the basic of ICT ethics to preservice teachers with the aim of raising awareness on this underestimated issue. Accordingly, this instrumental case study aims to investigate prospective teachers' perspectives on ICT ethics and effectiveness of specifically designed course with a case-based instruction to teach the fundamentals of ICT ethics. The data was collected qualitatively before and after the course from 24 prospective teachers selected with convenience sampling. The data was analysed with inductive content analysis and findings indicated prospective teachers, though not having adequate knowledge and awareness, have gained the basics of ICT ethics thanks to the specifically designed course. They favoured the course due to its design and content. This study highlights a need to offer such courses or programs to teach ICT ethics.

The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of playing soccer for a long time in for professional soccer players regarding sole pressure. Despite the increasing prevalence of new methods developed in the footpad pressure measurement in recent years, our knowledge about pressure distribution of the footplate is still insufficient, especially for sportsmen (Ford et al., 2006). Plantar pressure analysis system (EMED-SF) was used in the study. Statistically significant differences between the study groups were examined using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. According to the results of the research, there was no statistical difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of physical characteristics. However, significant results were found at (0.01-0.05) level in the beginning and grand total of heel medial, heel lateral, 1,2,3,4,5 metatars in the maximal force comparisons applied to the right and left foot contact area and the floor.

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of explosive strength and shooting exercises, which were applied for eight weeks before the season in basketball sport branch, on shot percentage level of elite male basketball players. The study was conducted on 13 professional male basketball players (age average; 26.92 ± 3.04) who are actively playing in the Turkish Basketball Super League. The players were taken into pre-season camp for 12 weeks. At the end of the first four weeks, shooting tests (pre-tests) were applied to the players. Through the last eight weeks of the camp, condition improving practices were continued together with technique-tactic exercises. Through the last eight week of the camp explosive strength exercise program was applied covering 75-80 % of the condition exercise with a frequency of 4-6 times a week. After the explosive strength exercises, shooting exercises (a total of 100 shots in 5 sets, each set 20 shots) were conducted. At the end of the eight-week camp period, the pre-season tests were repeated (post-tests). The shooting tests of the players (pre-tests and post-tests) were conducted in two different numbers and under three different formats, which are, standing free throw, jump shot, and jump shot against defense (1x1). Each player was told to shoot 100 shots in the first test and 10 shots in the second. Totally 8580 shots were analyzed in pre-tests and post-tests. SPSS 18.0 program was used in the analysis of the data, and the significance level was accepted as p<0.01-0.05. In both shooting tests, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in p<0.01 level between the average values of pre-tests and post-tests under three formats (standing free throw, jump shot, and jump shot against (1x1) defense). According to the data obtained from the study, it can be concluded that eight-week explosive power exercises have a positive effect on shooting performances particularly at their positions in the game of elite male basketball players.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of ten weekly plyometric training on anaerobic power in judokas. 30 male judokas participated in the study and the subjects were divided into two groups as an experimental (15 male age = 21,40 ± 1,99) and control (15 male age = 21,53 ± 1,80) groups. Judo training programme was applied in both groups for 3 days / 90 minutes per week. Experimental and control group were made warm up exercises for 20 minutes. Both groups continued with the special preparatory period judo training program. After warm up exercises, experimental group judokas were made plyometric training consisting of 15 different movements for 20 minutes. Then they were allowed to continue the judo training. As the groups showed normal distribution, Paired Samples T-Test was applied for the significance between pre-test and post-test measurements of the groups. Independent Samples T-Test was used to analyze the difference between the test group and control group. The Independent Samples T-Test was used to analyze the difference between the experimental group and the control group. As a result of the plyometric training, when the pre-test and post-test differences of the physical measurement parameters for the experimental and control groups were compared, the mean values of back strength, anaerobic power and body fat percentage were found to be significant(p<0.05). However, there was no significance in the mean values of right hand grip strength, left hand grip strength, leg strength and flexibility(p>0.05).

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the teaching practice course on preservice elementary teachers' TISE level. In this research both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. The participants were 43 pre-service elementary teachers from a state university in Turkey. In the quantitative part of the study, these pre-service elementary teachers filled in the TISE scale before and after the teaching practice course. Also, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 voluntary pre-service elementary teachers about the sources of TISE. The results indicated that the TISE level of pre-service elementary teachers was increased during the teaching practice course. The sources of pre-service elementary teachers' TISE was discussed based on the sources of self-efficacy stated by Bandura.

It is possible that running training for many years in athletics affects athletes' running patterns and sole structure. The main aim of this study is to examine the effect of maximal force applied to the floor area and contact area of the athletes with related to mid-distance training for athletics. 18 male athletes who represent Turkey on the International area and another 25 male volunteers who form the control group from the participants of the study. The sole pressure measurement of the participants was performed through the use of EMED-SF (Novel H, Munich, Germany) plantar pressure analysis system (pedobarographic analysis). In the study, significant differences were found in heel medial, heel lateral, foot middle, 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads and left foot 3rd, 4th, 5th finger in the contact area values of the right and left foot averages. Besides, significant differences were found in heel medial, middle part of feet, 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads and 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th fingers in maximal force values. Athletes have pressed on sole of the feet more as a result of long-term training and as a consequence this pressure caused a change of the soles contact area and maximal strength. Also it can be said that they have used forefront part of soles more actively during running and walking.

Educational social network sites have many uses in the field of education. The present paper aims to determine factors influencing students' behavioral intention to use a popular educational social network site, Edmodo. Using an extension of the technology acceptance model, we analyzed quantitative responses of 218 university students, registered in an Edmodo supported course. Data were analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results highlighted that intention was significantly predicted by its antecedents. More specifically, the attitude was the most important factor, whilst perceived usefulness had a moderate impact on predicting intention. Perceived ease of use predicted perceived usefulness directly and also it influenced intention indirectly through attitude. External antecedents of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were all significant. Discussion and implications were drawn based on the results.

Aim: This study aimed to undertake an anthropometric assessment and to compare the muscular strength of elite athletes with that of a control group to predict Mallampati classification. Material and Method: The study group consisted of elite track athletes, and the control group consisted of volunteers with similar characteristics. Anthropometric measurements of the hand, fingers, and wrist were made; handgrip strength and the pinch strength of the fingers were also measured. A serum biochemical analysis was then performed. Participants were divided into two groups: those with Modified Mallampati Scores (MMS) I and II, and those with III and IV. A partial correlation test was used to examine the correlations of the variables according to the MMS groups. Results: The study included 32 elite athletes and 42 volunteer participants. Serum Na level, fingertip to root digit 3 (FTR3), and FTR4 were significantly lower in males in MMS groups 3-4. Among all cases, wrist extension angle (WEA) was found to be significantly lower in MMS group 3-4. However, hand breadth at thumb (HBT), hand depth radial (HDR), breadth at the first joint of digit 2 (BFJD2), pinch strength of thumb (PST), and PSLF were significantly higher in MMS groups 3-4. Among these variables, HBT, BFJD2, PST, and PSLF were significantly higher in elite athletes, but HDR was similar between the study groups. MMS groups showed the highest correlation with the pinch strength of the thumb. Conclusion: The pinch strength of the thumb and little finger was determined as the most important predictors for the MMS group rather than the handgrip strength (HGS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet addiction is regarded to be as a psychological issue with potential sociological effects. Considering this reality in mind, the purpose of this research is to investigate the existence of internet addiction among pre-service ICT teachers. The study also aimed at examining relationships among academic procrastination, general procrastination and internet addiction. Internet Addiction Test (IAT), General or Life Routine Procrastination Scale (GP) and Academic Procrastination (AP) Scale were used as data gathering tools. Adopting survey model, 194 pre service ICT teachers, studying at one of the public universities in Turkey, participated to the study. The results indicated that (1) internet addiction existed among pre-service ICT teachers; (2) there were significant relationships among the variables of academic procrastination, general procrastination and internet addiction, and finally (3) general procrastination was found to be a better predictor than academic procrastination in predicting internet addiction. The findings of the study were discussed in the lights of the literature on internet addiction, general procrastination and academic procrastination.

The purpose of this quasi experimental study is to examine the effectiveness of Facebook in terms of pre-service teachers' attitudes, achievements and satisfactions in comparison to traditional instruction. The sample consisted of 96 pre-service teachers studying at a public university in Turkey. Attitudes towards teaching profession scale, course satisfaction scale and students' course grades were used as data gathering tools. One-Way ANCOVA and two t tests were used as data analysis method. The analysis showed that there were no significant differences in terms of attitudes, achievement and satisfaction between those who used Facebook and who did not. The findings suggest that Facebook did not have a significant effect on pre service teachers' attitudes, achievement and satisfaction.

Copyright of Omer Halisdemir Universitesi Iktisadi ve Idari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Omer Halisdemir University, Faculty of Economics & Admistrative Sciene and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Online Journal of Recreation & Sports is the property of Online Journal of Recreation & Sports and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this study is to examine pre-service teachers' academic achievements in terms of different variables such as online self-regulated learning skills and attitudes towards distance education. This study is descriptive in nature. Survey study design was implemented to examine the relationships among variables. The study was implemented at Afyon Kocatepe University Faculty of Education in Turkey. The study group consists of 114 students from different departments including primary school education, social studies education and preschool education. 84 (73.7%) were females and 30 (26.3%) were males. Ages of the group ranged between 18 and 28 with a mean of 19.42 (SD: 1.30). In Afyon Kocatepe University some courses named "Computer II" and "Principles of Ataturk and the History of Revolution" are presented by using computer based online distance education. We selected "Computer II" as data collection medium. The course was introduced to students for one semester. Online self-regulated learning scale ([alpha]=0.948) and attitude scale towards distance learning ([alpha]=0.835) are used as data instruments. Students' final grades were taken into account as achievement scores to examine the relationship between achievement attitude and self-regulated learning. Pearson's correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis, independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA are conducted to analyze collected data. The results showed that online self-regulated learning strategies and attitude towards distance education accounted for 15% of variation of students' achievement. Attitude made a significant contribution to the prediction of achievement while the sub factors of self-regulated learning did not make a significant contribution to achievement. (Contains 4 tables.)

In the educational sciences, many discussions on the use of computer games occur. Most of the scientists believe that traditional computer games are time-consuming software and that game-playing activities negatively affect students' academic performance. In this study, the accuracy of this general opinion was examined by focusing on the real game-playing scores of an elementary school students in Turkey. First, researchers selected a single-player strategy game. Second, the selected game was given to 105 fifth-grade students, who had not played it before, so that they could play it over a 30-minute period. The most successful student of the group finished the 23rd level of the game and collected 8152 points in total. In order to investigate the correlation between strategy game performance and academic performance, researchers derived the students' average exam scores for six different courses (mathematics, physical science, science and technology, visual arts, music, and social sciences) from official documents. At the end of the study, it was found that participants' mathematical or physical science skills were positively correlated with game success; however, a negative relationship was not exists between an individual's computer game success and academic performance.