Abstract:

In the last decade, many studies related to education have been implemented in Turkey. While majority of these studies concentrated on the assessment of current implementations regarding the teaching-learning process and effective teaching learning, the examination of a science classroom environment has not received much attention. Modern education approaches suggest ways about how students reach the knowledge and how current technologies are used in teaching-learning process. In order to integrate the new approaches into the current teaching-learning process, it becomes necessary to reorganize the current classroom environment. Although there were many studies investigating the use of technology in education, there have been a few that concerned the properties of a modern science classroom necessary to implement the current learning theories and educational technology. The aim of this study was (a) to develop standards for a modern science classroom and (b) to determine whether the current classrooms were suitable for the active learning environment. In the present study, data were collected through an assessment scale measuring the properties of a modern science classroom. The scale was used to assess the learning environments of six elementary schools in Trabzon and three science-art centers for gifted children in Trabzon, Bayburt, and Sinop. Results indicated that, on average, public schools received 35 points and science-art centers received 97 points out of 120 points. Results also showed that elementary school children have not reached a sufficient level in terms of physical conditions of an accepted standard in a modern science classroom. Even if we accept the philosophy of active teaching-learning approaches, the current science classrooms do not allow us to put these new approaches into practice. In conclusion, just developing innovative teacher education programs, teaching-learning practices, educational technology, or curriculum is not enough by itself. The classroom environment should be arranged to accommodate these innovative approaches.

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