In this study, a valid and reliable multiple-choice achievement test has been developed in order to measure the academic achievement of 8th grade students about the units of “States of Matter and Heat” and “Electricity in Our Life”. The pilot study of the achievement test was carried out with 30 questions which were prepared with at least one question from each gain related to unit gains. This study was conducted with 287 students having learned these subjects from two different schools in the central district of Siirt in 2017-2018 academic year. The validity and reliability studies of the achievement test items were performed. For the validity of the test, a table of specifications was prepared, and the test was examined by two faculty members and three science teachers. Item analysis and reliability analyzes of the test were performed with TAP 14.7. As a result of the analyzes, 3 items with low item discrimination index were excluded from the test. Mean discrimination index of the final test including 27 questions was found to be 0.520 and mean item difficulty index was 0.598. As a result of reliability analysis; KR20 value was calculated as 0,840 and Spearman-Brown value was 0,730. As a result of the study, a valid and reliable multiple-choice achievement test was introduced to the science education to measure the academic success of the students in the 8th grades about the units of “States of Matter and Heat “and “Electricity in Our Life”.

This study was conducted to assess teachers’ perceptions of classroom assessment as the function of gender and teaching experiences. To this end, the researchers employed a cross-sectional survey design collecting a survey data from 197 teachers selected from seven high schools using Zhang and Burry-Stock’s (2003) modified assessment practice inventory questionnaire and an observation checklist developed by the researchers. The findings of the study revealed that there was a statistically significant gender difference only in communicating assessment results; t (173) = -6.557, p < .05. Also, there were statistically significant differences across service years in terms of constructing test items, F (2, 172) = 2907.04, p < .05; analyzing test results and test revisions, F (2, 172) = 121.401, p < .05; and communicating assessment results, F (2, 172) = 98.840, p < .05. Both in the self-perceived assessment and classroom observation results, female teachers’ were found better than male teachers in communicating assessment results. Finally, conclusions and recommendations were forwarded based on the results of this study.

The aim of this study is to analyse the effects of principals’ instructional leadership on the teachers' perceptions of their self-efficacy. Mixed method, in which quantitative and qualitative techniques are employed together, was used in order to analyse the data obtained. The sample for quantitative analysis included 435 teachers working in schools in Şahinbey Province and study group for qualitative analysis included 24 teachers working in these schools. For the quantitative data, regression and correlation analysis were done; for the quantitative data, descriptive and content analysis were done.  Data were obtained using Instructional Leadership Behaviours Scale (Hallinger, 2011) and Teachers' Self-Efficacy Perception Scale (Tschannen-Moran ve Woolfolk Hoy, 2001). According to the result of the study, there is a significant medium level relationship between principals’ instructional behaviours and teachers' self-efficacy. In addition, instructional leadership behaviours displayed by principals contribute positively to teachers' motivation and task focality, the development of learners' ability to learn, and the self-evaluation skills of the teachers about themselves and students.

The purpose of this research is to determine the opinions of the faculty members about devoted teaching profession, from Ziya Gökalp Faculty of Education at Dicle University. This research is qualitative study exploring the views of faculty staff about teacher devotion. In the study, phenomenological design was utilized. The participants of this study involved 30 faculty staff working at Ziya Gökalp Faculty of Education, Dicle University in the academic year of 2016-2017. In the study, a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers was utilized as a data collection tool. The results obtained from the research data are given within the framework of the research questions. The answers given to the questions were analyzed by way of content analysis method. Regarding the results of the research, the faculty members responded the question of “who is devoted teacher” through identifying a person who can go beyond their usual tasks, spare extra time for his/her students; who respects social values and profession; who has responsibility; who develops himself/herself in terms of academic and socio-cultural ways; who has empathy, good communication skills; and who does not expect any financial matters for the duties carried out.

Many definitions and theories of leadership focus on the innate traits that leaders must possess from birth, others on the characteristics acquired throughout adult life and the processes the individual is exposed to. It is also widely believed that leadership is solely exercised at positions of higher authority in institutions and organizations. Students who are sufficiently fortunate, are exposed to leadership practices during their formal higher and academia education, yet the plethora of leadership educational programs available globally have limited adaptation and applicability to real-world cases, as well as limited foundations and preparation of the prospective leaders for the societies of the future and community needs.  Leadership entails essential elements based on awareness; historical awareness, awareness of self and others, awareness of logical distinctions, and awareness of one’s capacity for discrimination (Barrow, 1981). These features are necessary for students to become educated individuals capable to behave and act responsibly while assuming leadership roles in tomorrow’s world.

Scholars state that students benefit from exposure to leadership models and practices regardless of the career paths they undertake. Theorists have further posited that educational institutions preparing students to assume leadership roles should focus their instructional methodologies on the early stages of the educational process. Additionally, approaches such as the morfosis paradigm give substantial promise to educational institutional leaders, educators, and their students when education emerges through its lens. Approaches such as these provide students with the best chance to gain skills and capacities enriched with ethics, empathy, and compassion in becoming effective leaders of tomorrow. Moreover, teaching them the significance of accountability, the importance of service learning, and the necessity for demonstration of ethos, compassion and empathy, cultivate the sense of belonging while building on awareness, interaction, and leadership mindsets. Furthermore, implementing SEL methodologies in teaching and learning builds on leader and leadership development.

The purpose of this research was to seek and reach a consensus on the competencies for classroom teachers to support gifted students in the regular classrooms. The Delphi Technique was used to achieve this purpose. The panel was carried out in three following rounds. Participants of the panel were thirty-six panelists including fifteen academicians holding PhD degrees and actively teaching in special or elementary education departments, and twenty-one in-service classroom teachers. Three sequential Delphi questionnaires that were included competencies in which panelists were asked to evaluate each competency on a seven point likert scale used during the panel. Calculated reliability coefficients of these questionnaires were .97, .93 and .94, respectively. One more competency was added after the analysis of first Delphi questionnaire. The three-round Delphi panel has showed that there was a consensus among experts on all thirty-five competencies. Competencies were discussed with regard to previous research and a number of suggestions for future research and implementation were developed.

Teachers’ educational beliefs influence their decisions and actions before, during, and after class. Classroom actions are a result of decision-making processes wherein teachers judge how they can teach effectively. The early years of teaching profession is important in shaping new teachers’ practices in accordance with their beliefs. This study identifies how the beliefs and classroom practices of a new science teacher change within the first three years of working. This study’s participant was a new high-school science teacher in Midwestern United States. Changes were investigated by employing qualitative research methods. Data for this longitudinal case study were gathered from interviews, questionnaires, and classroom observations for three years. The findings show that teachers cannot practice their reformist beliefs without experiencing real class environments.

The aim of this study is to determine teacher candidates’ attitude and readiness levels towards teaching profession and the relationship of teacher candidates’ attitude and readiness level towards teaching profession in terms of gender, grade, having teacher relative, willingly study this department and belief of being a good teacher independent variables. The study group consists of 387 teacher candidates studying at faculty of education from different departments and grades in 2018-2019 academic year. Teacher candidates’ attitude scale and readiness towards teaching profession scales were used as data collection tool. For data analyzing independent variables t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test and Spearman’srho correlation analysis were used. According to the research results, mean score of teacher candidates’ attitude towards teaching profession is 3.84 and mean score of teacher candidates’ readiness towards teaching profession is 3.91. In addition, according to the Spearman’srho correlation analysis, there is a moderate and positive relationship between teacher candidates’ attitude and readiness levels towards teaching profession.

Self-evaluation is a skill that can help individuals to increase their own performance on completing tasks in engagements. The literature provides several examples of using self-evaluation with different participant groups with psychological and behavioral problems. There are a limited number of examples of using self-evaluation with individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs), which demonstrated effective use of self-evaluation combined with other techniques such as video feedback. The present study focused on examining the effectiveness of using video feedback to increase the use of self-evaluation of students with IDs who are trying to improve their academic engagement. The study applied a multiple probe design to track changes in the behaviors with three students with IDs. The study provided evidence that the students were able to improve their academic engagement in regard to increase on-task behaviors, raising hands, and complieance while increasing self-evaluation.   

This study aims to investigate the effects of Science Technology Education Math (STEM) practices on academic achievement and motivations of students in the 5th grade of middle school in "Exploring and Knowing the World of Living Creatures" section in Science lecture. The study was designed in a semi-experimental pattern with pre-test post-test control group. A middle school in the center of Antakya was selected by appropriate sampling method. The sample of the study was formed by the 5th grade students who were studied in 2 sections where the same teacher taught. A group of students in one section formed the control group of students while the other branch formed experimental group. The unit ‘Exploring and Knowing the World of Living Creatures’ was explained through the lesson plans prepared according to the STEM applications in the experimental group and through the methods appropriate to the course book in the control group. As a data collecting tool, both groups were given the "Exploring and Knowing the World of Living Creatures Achievement Test (EKWLCAT) and "Motivation Scale toward Science Learning" (MSSL) were applied. The obtained data were analyzed by statistical analysis utilizing the mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage values of these data using an appropriate statistical program. As a result, it has been determined that STEM applications have a positive effect on academic achievement. However, when the subcategories of the motivation scale were examined, a statistically significant difference was not found in the subcategories of performance communication and participation, while a positive increase was found in favor of research and cooperation.

The aim of the research was to determine school administrators’ management capabilities of teacher differences. The research was conducted with mixed explanatory sequential design which means using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. In the quantitative phase of the research, the sample of the study consists of 324 teachers and 43 school principals who work in the state primary, secondary and high school in the province of Uşak in 2017- 2018. In the qualitative stage of the research, the study group was determined on the basis of volunteerism. Accordingly, 11 school administrators and 14 teachers from the sample group in the quantitative phase participated in the study. The quantitative data of the study was gathered through ‘The Scale of Diversity Management’ However, semi- structured interview form was used as a qualitative data collection tool. In the analysis process, test t and One Way ANOVA were performed. Nevertheless, descriptive analysis was employed for the qualitative data. Findings demonstrated that teacher perceptions on school administrators’ management capabilities of differences were high. According to the results of interviews conducted to gather information in- depth, school administrators were stated to be capable of managing the differences. It was found that there was a significant difference between school administrators and teachers in terms of task concerning the level of school administrators’ management capabilities of teacher differences. The perceptions of school administrators on the management of teacher differences were higher compared to the perceptions of teachers. Based on the qualitative findings of the study, virtually all the school administrators pointed out that they were able to manage teacher differences and to use them in favour of the school. On the contrary, teachers rendered that most of the school administrators were able to be notice differences; however, they had problems in using the differences in favour of their schools. Another finding of the study referred that the levels of school administrators’ management capabilities of teacher differences varied depending on the year of service. Senior teachers considered the levels of school administrators’ management capabilities of teacher differences relatively high. Additionally, the perceptions of teachers working at different stages of schools regarding school administrators’ management capabilities of differences were observed to differ. The perceptions of primary school teachers, compared to secondary and high school teachers, with respect to school administrators’ management capabilities of teacher differences were higher. As a result, in light of the findings, school administrators are advised to recognize teacher differences more closely and to achieve the aims of their schools by converting the differences in opportunities.

The aim of this study is to investigate the innovativeness characteristics and learning styles of the pre-service teachers in terms of gender and department variables and to determine whether the characteristics of innovativeness differ significantly according to their learning styles. In the study descriptive method was used in the survey model. The study group consisted of 232 pre-service teachers studying in the 4th grade of the education faculty of a state university in the Mediterranean region in Turkey. According to the findings obtained from the study, the mean score of innovativeness of pre-service teachers is very close to the accepted limit value for high level innovativeness. It was concluded that there was no significant difference between the pre-service teachers' scores of innovativeness and gender and department variables. Findings also reveal that learning style is a variable that causes differentiation in the characteristics of pre-service teachers' innovativeness.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the reading-writing-application method from cooperative learning on the understanding of environmental science. Intervention mixed method design was used. The quantitative part of the study was designed with pre- and post-test applied the quasi-experimental design. For the qualitative part of the study, writing reports of preservice science teachers were examined. 58 (31 experiment, 27 control group) third level preservice science teachers were enrolled in the study. To collect data, Environmental Achievement Test, the Scale of Cooperative Working Skills and group reports prepared by preservice teachers were used. The reliability and validity of the measurement tools were assessed, and the test and scale were finalized. In the study, the cooperative reading-writing-application method was found effective for learning environmental science course. According to the data obtained from the Scale of Cooperative Working Skills, there was no difference between the groups in pre- and post-views. According to the data obtained from the group reports, there was progress in writing skills of preservice science teachers.

One of the aims of the current study is to specify the model providing the best fit to the data among the exploratory, the bifactor exploratory and the confirmatory structural equation models. The study compares the three models based on the model data fit statistics and item parameter estimations (factor loadings, cross-loadings, factor correlations) provided by the models. The second aim of the study is to examine correlations among the factor scores, the academic achievement and the goal orientations to provide criterion validity for the person parameter estimations of the best-fitting model. The Academic Motivation Scale was conducted on 1,858 junior and senior students. The three measurement models were compared based on the model data fit and parameter estimations. All estimations were done on the Mplus 6.0 statistical program using the Maximum Likelihood method. It was found that the bifactor exploratory structural equation model provided only trivial improvement on the model data fit relative to the exploratory structural equation model. However, the results of the study revealed that including a general factor in the model achieved a decrease in item cross-loadings. In addition, items could lie along the relative autonomy continuum in a consistent way with the Self-Determination Theory according to their general factor loadings estimated by the bifactor model. The model data fit statistics, parameter estimations and correlation coefficients indicated that the bifactor exploratory structural equation better fit to data than the other two models both theoretically and statistically.

The rapid development and impact of nanoscience and nanotechnology (NSNT) on economy has led policy makers and educators to focus on nanotechnology education. The two main views concerning appropriate level to teach nanoscience and nanotechnology (NSNT): The first favors teaching in higher education; the second recommends familiarizing and teaching in all grade levels. Aim of this study is to determine the opinions about NSNT education and to propose NSNT education for biology curriculum using the current status. A teacher interview form was used for data collection and applied to 121 biology teachers. Data collected via questionnaires were analyzed through quantitative descriptive analysis. Biology teachers’ opinions of NSNT education focused on definition, awareness, importance and developments, benefits, applications, risks and ethical issues. Participants presented view of integrating nanotechnology topics into the curriculum and expected a positive impact on students’ career preferences. Teachers believed that prior training and readiness were not meeting the required levels; also, difficulties such as conceptualization and mentally visualizing, technical and infrastructure deficiencies, were the serious obstacles to be overcome for successful implementation. High cost was also a negative impact on integration of NSNT in schools/classes.

The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between university students’ level of democratic citizenship behaviors and their social media usage through social capital theory. University students’ involvements in democratic issues are both affected by and happens though social media due to the rapid developments in mobile technologies. Thus, it is worthwhile to explore its effect. The study utilized a quantitative approach for both data collection and analysis. The participants of the study were students of Turkish state universities. The total number of the students involved in the study was 2253. The data was gathered by 7 scales developed for the study. One of the scales was yes/no type and the rest were Likert type scales. The data was subjected to stepwise regression analysis. Among all the variables that were in regression models, it appears that ‘trust’ is the most important single variable in explaining students’ different citizenship behaviors. 

The aim of this study is to determine the awareness of science teachers about socio-scientific issues, the methods and techniques used in the teaching of socio-scientific issues, and the suggestions about effective teaching of socio-scientific issues. The sample of the study consisted of 75 science teachers (50 women, 25 men) who serve in various regions of Turkey. All participants answered the questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions. Afterward, interviews were conducted with 10 selected teachers. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. By the content analysis, it is aimed to reach the relations and concepts that can explain the collected data (Yıldırım and Şimşek, 2013). When the findings of the open-ended questionnaire were examined, it was determined that teachers did not associate the definition and content of the concept of the socio-scientific issue with science and they have a low level of awareness about the content. In addition, it was observed that the teachers mostly use the discussion method in the presentation of socio-scientific issues. Teachers also stated that the number of the outcomes included in the curriculum and number and diversity of socio-scientific issues in the textbooks are insufficient and they should be increased. 

This study aims to analyze primary school students' academic achievement and motivation in terms of parental attitudes, teacher motivation, teacher self-efficacy and leadership perception. Research model of the study is designed as descriptive research model and the data are collected from 60 primary school teachers teaching 4th grade students in 2017-2018 academic year and from 1476 4th grade primary school students. The findings of the study show that fathers' having a high level of education, teachers' having a high level of motivation, a democratic attitude in family are some factors positively affecting student achievement. The findings also indicate that democratic parental attitude and a high level of teacher motivation increase student motivation. It is also concluded that neglectful parental attitude negatively affects student achievement and motivation. Accepted or distributed leadership approach in the school influences teacher motivation. The findings show that teachers with high self-efficacy also have high level of motivation. It is also concluded that teachers at the first years of their career have lower level of motivation. The study is believed to be a guiding example for other studies analyzing similar topics.

The aim of the study is to develop a valid and reliable scale in order to determine the ideational and social contribution of art to politics. The 5 point likert scale was applied to a total of 891 university students studying in different departments of a state university. As a result of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), it was found that the scale consisted of twelve items and was collected under two sub-factors. Factor loads of the scale items were found to range between .571 and .818. In addition, the variance rate explained by two factors was calculated as 58.397%. The x2/df value of the scale was calculated as 1,944. Other concordance index values were calculated as CFI= .962, TLI= .952, RMSEA= .066, SRMR= .0546. The Cronbach-Alpha internal consistency coefficient was calculated as .893 for the overall scale; .862 for the first sub-factor and .842 for the second sub-factor. Item-total score correlation values of the scale items ranged between .538 and .655. These results show that SISCAP can be used as a valid and reliable measurement tool.

Feedback is an important factor used in learning and teaching process. The effective use of feedback by teachers fosters learning. Therefore, it plays a crucial role to evaluate the feedback system of teachers according to students’ views. As a result, valid and reliable instruments are required in this process. This study aimed to develop a scale to evaluate teachers’ feedback usage according to high school students’ views. A trial form of 44 items in Likert-type was prepared and applied in the fall semester of the 2016-2017 academic year. The validity and reliability of the scale was conducted on the data obtained from 220 high school students selected by convenience sampling. Explanatory factor analysis was conducted to prove the construct validity of the scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted to impose the structure on the data. The KMO Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was obtained as 0.87. The value of Cronbach alpha calculated for reliability was 0.84 for this study. In the confirmatory factor analysis, it was found that the values of the “Teacher Feedback Evaluation Scale” were acceptable (χ2 / df = 2,05; RMSEA = .069; CFI = .90; RMR = .08). When the values of the other goodness of fit of the Feedback Evaluation Scale were examined, the values were obtained as GFI = .84, AGFI = .81, NNFI = .89. Findings related to the validity and reliability show that the scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool.