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Journals / Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi / 2025 / Cilt: 54 Sayı: 3

What Drives Science Learning? A Mixed-Methods Study on Secondary School Students’ Motivation

Fen Öğrenimini Harekete Geçiren Etkenler Neler? Ortaokul Öğrencilerinin Motivasyonları Üzerine Karma Yöntem Çalışması

Fatma Karaçoban(ÇUKUROVA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-9096-676X
Betül Karaduman(CUKUROVA UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF EDUCATION)0000-0001-7724-3930
Pages
1448–1479
Publication Date
2025-12-31
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

It was found that students with higher motivation levels employed active learning strategies more frequently.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The aim of the study is to determine the motivation levels of middle school students toward science learning and to reveal the components that affect their motivation based on students’ perspectives.
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Key Findings & Data:According to the findings, students' motivation towards science learning was generally high at the 5th-grade level but lower at the 7th-grade level.
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Conclusion & Impact:It was found that students with higher motivation levels employed active learning strategies more frequently.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Motivasyon · Fen öğrenme · Ortaokul öğrencileri

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the motivation levels of middle school students toward science learning and to reveal the components that affect their motivation based on students’ perspectives. In the study in which explanatory sequential design was used, Motivation Toward Science Learning Scale was used to collect quantitative data. Semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers was used to collect qualitative data. According to the findings, students' motivation towards science learning was generally high at the 5th-grade level but lower at the 7th-grade level. It was found that students with higher motivation levels employed active learning strategies more frequently. The activities and materials used in the instructional process enhanced environmental stimulation, thereby increasing student motivation. These students perceived science-related knowledge as valuable for both their future and daily lives, and they exerted greater effort to succeed. Furthermore, they developed an awareness of current information, experienced increased learning motivation during lessons, and developed a sense of self-efficacy as a result of reaching cognitive satisfaction. It was also concluded that their performance was largely driven by the desire to attractthe teacher’s attention.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, ortaokul öğrencilerinin fen öğrenmeye yönelik motivasyon düzeylerini belirlemek ve öğrencilerin görüşleri doğrultusunda bu motivasyonu etkileyen bileşenleri ortaya koymaktır. Açıklayıcı sıralı desenin kullanıldığı çalışmada nicel veriler “Fen Öğrenmeye Yönelik Motivasyon Ölçeği” ile toplanmıştır. Nitel veriler ise araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu aracılığıyla elde edilmiştir. Bulgulara göre, öğrencilerin fen öğrenmeye yönelik motivasyon düzeyleri 5. sınıf düzeyinde genel olarak yüksek, 7. sınıf düzeyinde ise düşüktür. Motivasyon düzeyi yüksek olan öğrencilerin daha fazla etkin öğrenme stratejileri kullandıkları belirlenmiştir. Öğretim sürecinde yer alan etkinlik ve materyallerin çevresel teşvik ediciliği, öğrencilerin motivasyonlarını artırmaktadır. Bu öğrenciler, fenle ilgili bilgileri gelecek ve günlük yaşam açısından değerli bulmakta; başarılı olmak için daha fazla çaba göstermektedir. Ayrıca, güncel bilgilere karşı farkındalık geliştirdikleri, ders sırasında öğrenmeye yönelik motivasyonlarının arttığı ve bilgiyle doyuma ulaştıkları için öz-yeterlik duygusu geliştirdikleri görülmüştür. Öğrenci performanslarının ise büyük ölçüde öğretmenin dikkatini çekmeye yönelik olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Karaçoban, F., Karaduman, B. (2025). What Drives Science Learning? A Mixed-Methods Study on Secondary School Students’ Motivation. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 54 Sayı: 3, 1448–1479. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1731720

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