The impact of teaching the subjects under "science in time" unit in the social studies class in the 7th grade using jigsaw technique on the academic success of the students

Abstract

The main point in today’s educational approach is that it is based on a student-centered approach. One of the alternative instruction techniques having a convenient content for this system is the jigsaw technique. Since the introduction of this technique, it has been applied into many different fields of education, and determined that it positively influences students’ academic success. The purpose of this study is to find out the impact of teaching “science in time” unit under “science technology and society” learning area in the social studies class in the 7th grade using jigsaw technique on the academic success of the students. Mixed method, in which both qualitative and quantitative research models were used, was utilized in this study. In the quantitative section, based on experimental research model, the study was shaped based on pre-test post-test control group. And in the qualitative section, the answers of the students to the interview questions were analysed based on content analysis technique. The study was implemented on a total number of 46 students studying in the 7th grade of a public secondary school of the Ministry of National Education in Bartın province during 2015-2016 academic year. At the end of the study, it was observed that instructing with the jigsaw technique had a positive impact on students’ academic success, and there was a statistically significant difference (pre-test and post-test). In addition, although in general students made positive statements about jigsaw technique, there were also some partly negative statements. As a consequence, it could be stated that the use of jigsaw technique in teaching social studies can have positive contributions into students’ academic success.