Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the thoughts of primary science and technology teachers, primary class teachers, pre-service primary class teachers and pre-service primary science and technology teachers’ about concept maps. This scale applied the use of basic and random method on the chosen 125 4^th and 5^th grade primary class teachers who had science and technology courses and primary science and technology teachers from 14 primary schools in Afyonkarahisar. Also, the scale was applied to 150 2^nd grade pre-service primary class teachers and 30 1^st grade pre-service primary science and technology teachers in a Department of Primary Education from Mustafa Kemal University in Turkey. The general scanning model was used in this study, while t-test, one way ANOVA test, frequency and percentage values were calculated. However, analysis of the qualitative data was done by content analysis. As a result of the research findings obtained in the framework, teachers’ and pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards the use of concept maps is identified as positive. According to gender and class levels, which are independent variables, there are no significant differences of pre-service teachers’ towards using concept maps. According to the branch and seniority, there are important significant differences of teachers’ attitudes towards using concept maps. As a result of the findings from researches, some suggestions are presented.

Key words: Concept maps, science and technology, teachers’ and pre-service teachers’ attitudes, pre-service primary class teachers, pre-service primary science and technology teachers.