The Effect of Digital Documentary Production through Field Work on Geography Students’ Problem-Solving Skills

Abstract

In this study, views of students about the applicability of the digital documentary production through fieldwork model and the effect of it on their problem-solving skills were examined. The study was conducted in Turkey, in 2016-2017 spring term with 15 geography teacher candidates who chosen by convenience sampling method. In this study, within producing student digital documentary via fieldwork (FwDD) which is the outcome of the project-based learning (PBL) process, students were asked to carry out field works and to reflect their observations through a digital documentary, on Cultural Geography subjects. The data was collected through Problem-Solving Inventory and focus group interviews, in this case study. Paired Samples Test and content analysis were used for analysis of the data. The findings showed that FwDD-PBL lead to a significant difference regarding the students' problem-solving skills since the effect size is 0.61. Students stated that they learned to use the technology for educational and reflective purposes, that the project increased their motivations and enterprisingness besides their creative thinking and decision-making skills. The study is important to provide the students effective instruction and teaching skills. It is expected that the results will be useful to encourage the use of FwDD-PBL model in geography education.

Coğrafi Unsurların Belgesel Yoluyla İncelenmesi: Anısına Belgeseli Örneği

“…In this direction, it is observed that the geographical elements included in the "Anısına" documentary support the teaching process of geography topics within the scope of related courses. Within the scope of these results, the study focusing on knowing and understanding geographical concepts (Gümüş & Avcı, 2016), (Adanalı, 2018) and effect of documentaries in geograpy course in field of study supports the research process. (Ozder, 2014), emphasized from the significance of documentariesin Geography Education.…”

The Students’ Behaviours at the Instructional Geocaching Applied in Problem-Based Environmental Education

“…In her seminars, Christie (2007) evaluated the student works according to the results of her observations and the materials from the group members. In the studies of Adanalı (2018b) and Freiermuth (2017), it was determined that student videos had a positive contribution to the learning process and students really enjoy doing their own videos.…”

Fostering a relational sense of place through video documentary assignments

“…In this light, it is perhaps not surprising that video assignments have become a topic of interest, among others in human geography education. In the expanding literature on the matter, studies have commonly discussed how student-led film, by combining fieldwork and the production of visual material, can enhance active, deep and reflexive learning in geography (Adanalı, 2018;Anderson, 2013aAnderson, , 2013bDando & Chadwick, 2014;Mavroudi & Jöns, 2011). There is now a wealth of literature showing how fieldwork -commonly regarded "the sine qua non of the geographer" (Dummer et al, 2008, p. 459; see also Fuller et al, 2006;France & Haigh, 2018) -enables students to develop a better understanding of concepts by linking them to their own experience, while also encouraging them to modify or evaluate their previous ideas or knowledge through critical reflection (Dummer et al, 2008;Hovorka & Wolf, 2009;May, 1999;Oost et al, 2011).…”

“…By doing so, we contribute to the modest but expanding body of work on the use of studentled film in human geography education. Previous studies have been unanimously positive about a wide range of benefits -including the enhancement of deep and active learning and the improvement of transferable skills -that accrue from using film assignments (see e.g., Adanalı, 2018;Anderson, 2013aAnderson, , 2013bDando & Chadwick, 2014;Mavroudi & Jöns, 2011). However, the potential of student-generated film in fostering a relational view of spaces and places has not been explicitly dealt with to date.…”