Evaluation of Peer Instruction Practices in Accordance with Students’ Views

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to determine the views of the students about the course material prepared with the Peer Instruction Method in accordance with magnetism. Studies conducted for this purpose are defined as case studies in the literature.The sample of the study consisted of a group of 30 students in 10th grade who were studying at Ordu Science High School during the 2015-2016 academic year. The practice lasted four weeks, 2 hours per week. The data of the study was derived from Attitude Survey, semi-structured interviews, open-ended questions for observations and the observations themselves. The quantitative data obtained in the study were analyzed by the qualitative content analysis method with the help of the SPSS program. At the end of the Peer Instruction Method, it was determined that the students' attitude questionnaire post test scores (X = 130.9) increased and their increase was statistically significant (t = -7.22; p <.05) compared to the pre-test scores (X = 101.46). When the results of the students' opinions and observations are analyzed in detail, the results of the classes conducted by the Peer Instruction Methodology reveals that the students have increased their confidence, improved their ability to comment, have active participation in the classes and have become fun. According to the results obtained with this study, some suggestions were made to the researcher on behalf of the use of different topics in physics considering the positive effect of the Method of Peer Instruction.

Keywords: magnetism, physics education, peer instruction method, conceptual understanding