Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences

From the Editors

Huseyin Uzunboylu — 2017-03-30

Dear Colleagues

It is a great honour for us to welcome you as Editors of Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences which has accepted publications indexed in qualified databases since 2006. Our main aim is to increase the quality of the journal day by day. We are ready to publish the new issue of Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences which has 5 articles written by authors from Ethiopia, Romania and Turkey.

The aim of this issue is to give the researchers an opportunity to share their academic studies. First of all, I would like to thank all authors who have contributed to this issue. There are different focuses in the articles. For example, Sutuma Edessa aimed of this study was to assess and determine impacts of insufficient instructional materials and ineffective lesson delivery methods on teaching in biology higher education. The study was concluded with emphasis on the need to integrate theory and practice through using adequate instructional materials and proper teaching methods in the higher education biology teaching. On the other hand, Ileana Monica Popovici, Lucian Popescu and Liliana-Elisabeta Radu in their study intended to explore the levels of physical fitness of the students between 11 and 13 years of age. The participants of this study were 251 volunteer students including 95 boys and 156 girls between the ages of 11and13 and joined in physical education lessons twice a week. The students were assessed for six anthropometric characteristics and five physical tests. The findings suggest some differences between female and male students and between ages; male participants obtained higher results as means compared to female participants. Another study conducted by Cigdem Akkanat and Murat Gokdere. They developed an objective measure of science ability of gifted middle school students. Also, Ahmet Uzun, Latif Aydos, Metin Kaya, Mehmet Fatih Yuksel and Hacı Ahmet Pekel examined the effect of maximal force applied to the floor area and contact area of the athletes with related to mid-distance training for athletics. Finally, Ozgul Polat, Ezgi Aksin Yavuz and Ayse Betul Ozkarabak Tunc investigated the effect of mind mapping activities on the maths and science skills of children from 48 to 60 months of age. The study was designed using an experimental model with a pre-test post-test and a control group. Accordingly, the hypotheses of the study was that there would be meaningful differences in the values obtained from the pre-test and post-test scores in favor of the children working with mind maps compared to the ones who did not work with mind maps. In the examination of the development of mind maps, it was observed that as the children engaged in preparing mind maps, they used skills requiring high-level mind organization. Mind maps, which can be used in all areas of life, are believed to be supportive of children's development areas and to be an important strategy for children to adopt and experience during the time of childhood.

I would like to express my thanks to all authors preferring Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences to publish their articles, and also all reviewers working seriously in this process.

Best regards,

Editor-in-Chief

Prof. Dr. Huseyin Uzunboylu

Executive Editor

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cigdem Hursen

Impacts of insufficient instructional materials on teaching biology: Higher education systems in focus

Sutuma Edessa — 2017-03-30

The purpose of this study was to assess and determine impacts of insufficient instructional materials and ineffective lesson delivery methods on teaching in biology higher education. The participants of this study were 60 trainees who graduated in Bachelor of Sciences from eight public universities in majoring biology. Data for the study was collected while these trainees were attending the course of Biology Teaching Methods in the Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching, both in the regular and summer 2015/2016 training programs at Addis Ababa University. The study employs a mixed method design of both qualitative and quantitative data evaluations. Data was collected through classroom observations and interviews with the trainees. The findings indicated that insufficient instructional materials and ineffective teaching methods in higher education had negative impacts; that have affected the skills of performing biological tasks of graduates 71%. In the course of the Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching training, trainees were unsuccessful to conduct essential biological tasks expected from graduates of biology upon the completion of their undergraduate study program. The study was concluded with emphasis on the need to integrate theory and practice through using adequate instructional materials and proper teaching methods in the higher education biology teaching.

Keywords: systems, instruction, materials, insufficient and soft data.

Evaluation of some physical fitness characteristics in 11-13 years old

Ileana Monica Popovici — 2017-03-30

Many studies indicate that a physical fitness characteristic is an important marker for healthy body and healthy mind. The major purpose of this study is to explore the levels of physical fitness of the students between 11 and 13 years of age. The participants of this study are 251 volunteer students including 95 boys and 156 girls between the ages 11 and 13 who participated at physical education lessons two times a week. The students were assessed for six anthropometric characteristics and five physical tests. Mean, standard deviation, and multiple comparisons were used for statistical analyses to find out differences between sexes with ANOVA, and Bonferoni Tests for differences between ages. Anthropometric measurements were reported as body mass index, height, weight, arm span, waist and hip and physical fitness traits such as agility, balance and strength. The findings suggest some differences between female and male students and between ages; male participants obtained higher results as means compared to female participants.

Keywords: anthropometrics, agility, balances, strength, students

Students’ ability in science: Results from a test development study

Cigdem Akkanat — 2017-03-30

Student’s ability to use and manipulate scientific concepts has been widely explored; however there is still a need to define the characteristics and nature of science ability. Also, the tests and performance scales that require minimal conceptual knowledge to measure this ability are relatively less common. The aim of this study was to develop an objective measure of science ability of gifted middle school students. In order to assess this ability, Science Ability Test Battery was developed by the researchers. The test battery was divided into two sub scales containing; a multiple choice questions achievement test (Science Ability Test) and a performance assessment (Science Performance Test). The initial Science Ability Test consisted of 23 multiple choice items with one correct answer that required students to use science process skills and reasoning. In the study, stratified sampling was used. The test was administered to 280 middle school students in Turkey and the missing data from 26 students were excluded. In order to obtain a proof of content validity, the researchers elicited feedback from five experts in the field of science education and gifted education and necessary corrections were made in accordance of their views and suggestions. This study will be followed by another research to further analyse validity and reliability of the test.

Keywords: science ability, talent, gifted education

The study of the impacts of ‘Running’ on the contact area of soles and maximal strength among elite middle distance runners

Ahmet Uzun — 2017-03-30

It is possible that running training for many years in athletics affects athletes' running patterns and sole structure. The main aim of this study is to examine the effect of maximal force applied to the floor area and contact area of the athletes with related to mid-distance training for athletics. 18 male athletes who represent Turkey on the International area and another 25 male volunteers who form the control group from the participants of the study. The sole pressure measurement of the participants was performed through the use of EMED-SF (Novel H, Munich, Germany) plantar pressure analysis system (pedobarographic analysis). In the study, significant differences were found in heel medial, heel lateral, foot middle, 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatars heads and left foot 3rd, 4th, 5th finger in the contact area values of the right and left foot averages. Besides, significant differences were found in heel medial, middle part of feet, 2nd and 3rd metatars heads and 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th fingers in maximal force values. Athletes have pressed on sole of the feet more as a result of long-term training and as a consequence this pressure caused a change of the soles contact area and maximal strength. Also it can be said that they have used forefront part of soles more actively during running and walking.

Keywords: runner foot sole, contact area, middle distance, pedobarographic.

The effect of using mind maps on the development of maths and science skills

Ozgul Polat — 2017-03-30

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of mind mapping activities on the maths and science skills of children 48 to 60 months of age. The study was designed using an experimental model with a pre-test post-test and a control group. Accordingly, the hypotheses of the study was that there would be meaningful differences in the values obtained from the pre-test and post-test scores in favor of the children working with mind maps compared to the ones who did not work with mind maps. In the examination of the development of mind maps, it was observed that as the children engaged in preparing mind maps, they used skills requiring high-level mind organization. Mind maps, which can be used in all areas of life, are believed to be supportive of children's development areas and to be an important strategy for children to adopt and experience during the time of childhood.

Keywords: mind maps, maths skills, science skills