Abstract:

Pre-service science teachers’ opinions about investigation of internal structure of the broken electrical equipments by using the Prediction-Observation-Explanation (POE) method. 42 pre-service science teachers studying in the first grade participated in the study conducted with the case study design. In the activity process, pre-service teachers investigated broken electrical equipments such as television remote control, hair dryer, boiler, lantern, charger, iron, blender, coffee machine and radio in the laboratory as individually. The data was collected through an activity form consisting of three chapters as prediction, observation and explanation, and an opinion form consisting of two open-ended questions. In the opinion form, the pre-service teachers were asked to express their opinions on using the POE method followed in the activity process. The collected data was analyzed using content analysis. At the end of this research, it was determined that 37 (88,1%) pre-service teachers’ predictions and observations were compatible, but there were some deficiencies on their predictions; on the other hand, five (11,9%) pre-service teachers’ predictions and observations weren’t compatible. All of the pre-service teachers stated that POE method has advantages; eight (19%) pre-service teachers expressed that this method has both advantages and disadvantages. Such activities are recommended for the development of science process skills, cognitive and psychomotor skills.

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