Active learning environment with lenses in geometric optics

In this part, views about activities obtained from science teachers and students were given.

Results obtained from science teachers’ views

Q1: Do you find activities related to the lenses in the present textbooks enough for students to understand the topic and to be able to relate with daily life? Please explain.

T1: The activities students can associate concepts with daily life are insufficient. It is not possible associate topic with daily life with a few activites.
T2: Students have difficult in learning topic of lenses. Activities are not enough. They are learning convex and concave lenses as memorization.
T3: Activities are insufficient about association the topic of lenses with daily life.
T4: In textbooks there are only two activities on refraction of light and the focal point of lenses. Activities and visuals are not enough.
T5:There are fewer activities. Students have difficulty in understanding this topic.
T6: Students cannot adequately comprehend what they don’t see concretely, although they appear ready for abstract concepts in these education levels (aged 12-14). And they do not associate with daily life. In this sense, it is important to increase the activities in the textbook.

Q2: What are your views on researcher's proposed activities in terms of taking place in the textbook or teachers’ guide book?

T1: The topic will become more concrete with researcher’s activities. Students will be aware of the usage areas of the lenses in everyday life.
T2: Students confuse lens types and their functions. They can distinguish lenses from each other with these activities and connect with everyday life.
T3: Such activities make students active will help to concretize the concepts. They will draw attention students to the topic.
T4: Students’ textbooks and teachers guide book should be supported with such activities students can do easily.
T5: Such activities students and teachers can do easily should take place in textbooks. Especially activities related usage areas of the lenses.?
T6: Textbooks and teachers' guide books including researcher’s activities will allow students and teachers concretize the concepts better.

Q3: Can you evaluate researcher’s activities in terms of students’ understanding the topic and their motivations?

T1: I do not find enough activities in present textbooks. Students forget concepts quickly. These activities show treatment of eye defects, usage of lenses in camera and the telescope will be effective in concrete and permanent learning. I think it will increase the motivation of students.
T2: These activities will attract students’ interest. They will increase students’ motivations. I think permanent learning will be provided as associating the lenses with daily life.
T3: These activities will make students eager to learn. Learning will be more permanent.
T4: There will be more permanent and understandable learning environment. These activities will draw students’ attention and so they will be more motivated for lesson.
T5: Students will understand the topic more easily with these activities and so their motivation will increase.
T6: Students will understand the topic better as they are active during activities and it will be difficult to forget. They will be highly motivated as they are active in lesson. They will be able to relate more links with topic and daily life.

Results obtained from students’ views

Q: What are your views on activities you applied for lens topic in your classroom?

S1: I learned more knowledge about lenses. Activities were quite amusing. I saw usage areas of the lenses.
S2: Converging lens collected the light but diverging one scattered it. Activites were challenging but amusing. I saw functions of lenses to cure eye defects. I learned how to use the lenses in our lives in many places.
S3: We began to course with curiosity. I could not understand well with lecture method. With activities I could see what happen. And I think permanent learning occurred. Also this course was amusing.
S4: I learned that we use lenses in many places. Activities were interesting. I learned the topic better. My interest in science has increased through this activities.
S5: Activities provided curiosity to topic. They motivated me to course. So I learned the topic better. I saw that the lenses make our lives easier in a sense.
S6: I saw that the lens has an important place in human life. Camera, glasses, telescope and etc. I learned the topic better with activities and also they were amusing. Now I'm showing more interest in science course.
S7: I learned more information about functions of the lenses through activities. I learned where the lenses are used and I began to share my knowledge to people in my environment. To see where the lenses are used impressed me in a positive way.