2.6. Developed Materials
In order to apply PBL method during the research, in the direction of learning targets determined related to the
Unit of “Current and Resistance”, a scenario consisting of three sessions, and a work sheet consisting of four
structured problems from application and analysis levels were developed. At this stage, some experts were consulted
with.
3. Experimental Design
In this research, pre-test post-test design with nonequivalent control group was used. The study was done on two
groups, one of which is the experimental (PBL group), and the other is the control group. Moreover, 20 teacher
candidates from PBL group were randomly assigned to two groups consisting of 7 students and one group consisting
of 6 students according to their physics course achievements. While in the control group, lectures were given by
traditional instructional method, in the experimental group, problem-based learning method was used. One week
before starting to the research, PE was applied on both groups, and a sample scenario application was performed by
giving detailed information to the teacher candidates about the description of PBL method, what can be expected
from the sessions during the application, and how the sessions will go on.
In 1st PBL session, the scenario was presented as written, and PBL group was made to understand the problem
and organize their thinkings. Then, the teacher candidates were asked to discuss the problem and make suggestions
(develop hypotheses) about the solution by means of brain storming technique. Meanwhile, the education director
prevented them from straying from the point by wandering among the groups, and asking guiding questions when
necessary. At the end of the session, the parts which teacher candidates could not understand or wanted to take more
information about were determined, and noted as bulleted on the “What should I learn?” section of the scenario, and
they were asked to come to the second session to be performed after one week.
The second session started with the presentation of new information learned as a result of individual work,
previous hypotheses were reviewed, and the solution of the problem existing in the scenario and the learning targets
were tried to be achieved by means of discussion. After the education director ensured that all of the questions noted
on “What should I learn?” section were answered, a 20- minute break was taken in the session.
In the first 20 minutes of the third session, work sheets were delivered to PBL groups, and they were asked to
solve the structured physics problems related to the unit. In last 30 minutes, these problems were solved by the
teacher candidates on the board by the help of the education director.
4. Findings
One week before starting the research, PE was applied on both groups, and no significant difference was found
between the two groups (p>.05).