Examining the Effects of Using a Porphyrios Tree Aided Constructiv e Teaching Approach with Pre Service Social Studies Teachers to Develop Understanding About Ecological Interspecies Relationships

Abstract

This study aims to find out the effects on pre service teachers of a constructivist teaching approach aided by use of a
Porphyrios tree. Use of a Porphyrios tree is thought to be the basis of and most principled conceptual teaching tool to
aid meaningful comprehension about concepts of interspecies relationships. The study has a quasi experimental design
and uses a single group pre test and post test model. The study group consists of 3rd Grade Social S tudies pre service
teachers who are studying in the Faculty of Education at a university in Turkey. The study has a two tier application,
the first of which is dedicated to conducting interviews with each participant for nearly 20 minutes in a suitable
env ironment. Stage two is designed to conclude whether or not the responses from the individual or group interviews
about the Porphyrios tree drawings do help to resolve any misconceptions. A structured grid was used for data
collection in these interviews. D ata analysis was performed by analyzing the quantitative values obtained from the
structured grid with SPSS 22.0. It was found out that pre service teachers developed the most alternative conceptions
in their learning about mutualism and commensalism. Also , after the application of Porphyrios tree, the students'
alternative conceptions about of “positive interaction (mutualism, commensalism)” was eliminated. More strikingly,
the pre service teachers’ post test scores are higher in all statements of the grid . Consequently, it is recommended to
carry out further research with different variables to enlighten about whether the Porphyrios tree is an effective
teaching tool in other subjects.