THE EFFECT OF SCIENCE INSTRUCTION BASED ON CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS ON CRITICAL THINKING DISPOSITION OF THE 7th GRADE PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

The aim of the present study is to research the effect of science instruction based on critical thinking skills on critical thinking disposition of the 7th grade primary school students. A quasi-experimental method is implemented and the study in which an experimental pattern with control and experiment groups is used is conducted on the 7th grade primary school students. In the experiment group, the science instruction based on critical thinking skills was used; in the control group, an experimental process wasn’t practised and the present curriculum was followed. Besides, Primary Education 7th Class Science and Technology Lesson Teacher Guide and Student Lesson- Activity Books was based in the control group and student centred scienceinstruction was carried out. The study was performed in the Science and Technology courseand lasted 12 weeks. In order to determine the critical thinking disposition of the students, the“Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory” was used as a preliminary test, a final test and afollow-up test. As a result of the study, the science instruction based on critical thinking skillswas found to be more effective in raising the level of critical thinking disposition of the 7th gradeprimary school students when compared to the instruction was practised in the control group.Moreover, in increasing the level of critical thinking disposition, the science instruction basedon critical thinking skills is found to be more effective and the instruction was practised in thecontrol group is not effective.