EVALUATION OF INQUIRY METHOD IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE BY STUDENTS

To determine the degree to which inquiry method was used in grades 4-5 science and technology course, a questionnaire was administered to 105 students in an elementary school in Ankara. It was found that there were differences between the classrooms with respect to the application level of inquiry method. Group study, teacher-centred activities and inquiry skills were emphasized more at the fifth grade. On the other hand, there were differences across 5th grade classrooms with respect to the level of individual study, teacher-centred activities, and visual materials. The difference between 4th and 5th grades is considered as a result of spiral curriculum. On the other hand, the difference across fifth grade classrooms is thought of teacher factor.