Bahar Baran

Facebook as a formal instructional environment

Dr. Bahar Baran is Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies at Dokuz Eylul University. Her research interests cover design, development and evaluation of social learning environments, e-learning and multimedia environments. Address for correspondence: Mrs. Bahar Baran, Dokuz Eylul University, Buca Faculty of Education, Computer Education and Instructional Technologies, Hasan Ali Yucel Building, Floor:3, Buca/Izmir Turkey. 35160. Email: bahar.baran@deu.edu.tr

Determining reactive and proactive aggression and empathy levels of middle school students regarding their video game preferences

The studies existing on the effects of video games with violent content and aggression in research literature have controversial results. Accordingly, some studies indicate that empathy may play a determining role in the relationship between video games and aggression. In this context, the study aim was to describe the game types that middle school students play and analyze the relationship between the game types, their reactive and proactive aggressions, and empathic skills. Participants were 318 students from middle schools in Turkey. An important finding obtained from this study was the relationship between the frequency of proactive and reactive aggression and the playing of aggressive games; a relationship was also identified between emotional and cognitive empathy and the playing of aggressive games. Therefore, it is important to talk to children about the real-life consequences of aggressive games, and teach them appropriate methods of conflict management that they can use in real-life conflicts, which may diminish the negative effects of games with aggressive content. Middle school students play computer games heavily, and that they play PlayStation, PSP, and Wii games less frequently.Proactive and reactive aggressive behaviors are more prevalent among middle school students that play aggressive games.Middle school students that play aggressive games have low level of emotional and cognitive empathy.79.7% of the students that play aggressive games have at least one proactive behavior and low cognitive empathy.

Fen Bilimleri Öğretmenleri için “Teknolojik Pedagojik Alan Bilgisi Temelli Argümantasyon Uygulamaları” Eğitiminin Değerlendirilmesi

In science education, creating learning environments supported with technology and students’ use of theory-evidence coordination when expressing their ideas is emphasized regarding the development of students’ scientific reasoning, critical thinking, decision making skills, and etc. In this process, great responsibilities are fallen to teachers as planner and designer of a learning environment. In this study, it is aimed to assess the training which aims the development of science teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) through argumentation practices. In this context; this study evaluated the science teachers’ argumentation skills, self-efficacy perceptions towards TPACK and the teachers’ views about the training. 37 science teachers working at different cities in Turkey participated in the one group pre-test post-test experimental training study, which was lasted 54 hours during a week. The training is composed of both hand and minds on argumentation practices based on TPACK. The participants joined different activities such as collaborative group works, drama, modeling, thematic games, art activities, problem-based learning, field trips, observation and workshops. In the study, Argumentation Test, TPACK Self-Efficacy Belief Scale were used as data collection tools. At the end of the training written views of science teachers towards activities were taken. In the light of the findings, this training was effective on the participants’ self-efficacy levels towards technological pedagogical content knowledge. Moreover, this training resulted in a positive change in the participants’ views about how a statement could be accepted as an argument. However, the increase in scores of argumentation skills was not significant. Additionally almost all of the participants stated that they found the activities useful and can use in their classes. By considering these results, some suggestions were given.