4-7 Yaş Çocukları için Örüntü Becerileri Ölçeğinin Geliştirilmesi ve Örüntüye İlişkin Öğretmen Uygulamalarının İncelenmesi

Abstract

This study aimed at developing a measurement tool to determine the pattern skill levels of children aged between 4 and 7 years, and determining the practices of preschool teachers on the concept of pattern. The study adopted two methods: a) the scanning method to develop the scale, and b) a case study. The quantitative data were collected from 572 children, and the qualitative data were collected from 27 preschool teachers. Quantitative data were collected using convenient and snowball sampling methods, and criterion sampling method was used to collect the qualitative data. Qualitative data were collected through interviews using a semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The researcher consulted experts for opinion validity, used Lawshe technique for content validity, and exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analyzes for construct validity. Cronbach's Alpha and KR-20 internal consistency coefficients were calculated, and two-half test reliability was computed for reliability. For item analysis, item difficulty and biserial correlation tests were applied. As a result of the study, a valid and reliable pattern skills scale was developed, consisting of 4 dimensions and 19 items, with a Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.87. The study highlighted that preschool teachers only used repetitive patterns and mostly used the show-and-make method and the question-answer technique when teaching the concept of pattern, and that preschool teachers gave more place to the skills of continuing the pattern, copying and finding the missing piece in the pattern. In addition, the study concluded that the majority of the teachers did not make any arrangements in the classroom when teaching the concept of pattern.