Examining the Effects of Using a Porphyrios-Tree Aided Constructive 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 Studies 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 environment. 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. Data 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.