Research Information System
Turkish Studies (Elektronik), vol.13, no.11, pp.1653-1668, 2018 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Examining the biological structure of humans in line with therecent technological improvements, it becomes apparent that there arevarious physiological-anatomical differences, which result in individualdifferences among students. Naturally, there individual differences createan enriched learning environment. However, it is quite difficult for thestudents with individual differences to benefit from the traditionaleducation process at the same level. Therefore, it is of high importance tobe aware of the learning styles of the students, which are due to theindividualdifferences,whilearrangingthelearning-teachingenvironments. For example, students’’ awareness of learning styles couldenable them to participate in their own learning processes in an activemanner. Again, teachers’ awareness of learning styles could guide themin using various approaches, methods, and techniques while creatinglearning-teaching environments and activities. Kolb, who is known as thefounder of Experiential Learning Theory, suggests that a learningenvironment should be designed in accordance with the learningcharacteristics of students with different learning styles. This is becauseKolb argues that this could positively affect the learning outcomes. Thisstudy has been carried out by implementing Kolb’s learning cycle onbiology course. Firstly, the individual learning styles of the prospectiveteachers have been detected by using Kolb’s Learning Styles Inventory(KLSI). Secondly, the lesson and study plan was created based on Kolb’sLearning Cycle, while teaching the subject of cell division (mitotic andmeiosis division), which is included in the General Biology Laboratory Ilesson. 38 second grade prospective teachers studying at the ScienceTeaching Department of the Faculty of Education have participated in this study. The data of the study were collected by seeking the views ofthe prospective teachers on the implementation and analyzed throughcontent analysis. By the end of the study, many prospective teachers inthe experimental group pointed out the advantages of the implementationand expressed their gratitude. In the recent years, the fact that eachstudents might have a different thinking and learning style and how toreveal the potential skills that are unique to each student has been widelydiscussed. Hence, more students are being conducted on how to arrangea learning-teaching environment that is suitable for that purpose.