The computer-aided 3D modelling which is one of the innovative technologies can offer great opportunities to improve students' skills. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of computer-aided 3D modeling activities on pre-service teachers’ spatial abilities and attitudes towards 3D modeling and the relevant course. The study group of the research was composed of 55 pre-service IT teachers at a state university in Turkey. The research was carried out in quasi-experimental design based on pre-post test model. The experimental research was carried out with the experimental group for 14 weeks. During the 3D modeling learning/teaching process, a five-stage education framework based on problem-based and project-based learning approaches was used. "Purdue Visualization of Rotations Test" and "Attitude Scale towards 3D Modeling and 3D Modeling Course" were used as data collection tools in the research. As a result, it was found out that computer-aided 3D modeling activities improved the spatial abilities of pre-service teachers also increased their attitudes towards 3D modeling and the course. It was concluded that the education of computer-aided three-dimensional modeling offers important opportunities to improve spatial abilities.
Keywords: 3D modeling education, 3D modeling, 3D modeling attitude, pre-service teachers, spatial ability.
This research examined articles about models and modelling in the context of science education in Turkey by using content analysis method. Two specific academic databases; one of which was Dergipark, a platform including the academic journals published in Turkey, and Scholar Google were examined in detail so that totally 71 articles on models and modelling in science education were identified. The “article analysis form” developed by the researchers considering into the relevant literature was used to examine these articles. The findings were presented in tables and charts to show the frequency and percentile values regarding the articles examined. As a result, it was found that the purpose of most of the articles is to examine the effect of model / modelling-based teaching method. Concerning the discipline related in the articles, physics was seen to be on the top of the list, more specifically astronomy subject. As another result, qualitative research method appeared to be the most commonly used research method in the articles at hand. Lastly, it was found out that the most frequently examined variable was the mental model of the participants, and the most preferred data collection instrument was conceptual understanding test.
Keywords: content analysis, literature review, modelling in science, models in science, science education
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