MEHMET FATiH TASAR

Associate Professor of Science Education

2001, Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis on Science Education, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. The supporting fields of study were “Cognitive Foundations of Teaching and Learning” and “History and Philosophy of Science.”

Dissertation Committee Members: Vincent N. Lunetta (Chair and co-advisor), Thomas M. Dana (Co-advisor), Peter A. Rubba, J. Daniel Marshall, and Peggy Van Meter.

1996, M.Sc. in Physics, Erciyes University, Kayseri. Studied high-temperature superconductivity. Thesis supervisor: Ibrahim Belenli.

1994, B.Sc. in Physics, Bogazici University, Istanbul.

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

February 2005 - Present 
    Gazi University Ankara, Turkey
    Assistant Professor, Department of Primary Education, Science Education Program.

May 2001 - February 2005 
    Gazi University Ankara, Turkey
    Instructor, Department of Primary Education, Science Education Program.

August 1999 - May 2000 
    Penn State University University Park, PA 
    Supervisor/Instructor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, 
    Office of Preservice Teacher Education (OPTE) 

January 1998 - May 2000 
    Penn State University University Park, PA 
    Research Associate - Member of a course development team, 
    Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Science Education Program. 

The objective was to design and deliver a studio-format introductory physical science and engineering design course for elementary education majors. This project had been sponsored in part by the Engineering Coalition of Schools for Excellence in Education and Leadership (ECSEL K-14) Initiative and helped earn the Science Education Program the Provost's outstanding recognition award. 

November 1995 - Aug 1996 
Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey 
Teaching Assistant, Department of Primary Education, Science Education Program
 

The new national science and technology curriculum was developed for grades 4-8. As part of the project teacher development seminars and workshops were organized and delivered around the country.

ATTENDED WORKSHOPS

July 1997 AAPT Summer Meting University of Denver
Student Misconceptions in Physics
Workshop Presented by John Clement

July 1997 AAPT Summer Meting University of Denver
Models and Modeling in the High School Physics Classroom
Workshop Presented by Larry Dukerich and Gregg Swackhamer

July 1997 AAPT Summer Meting University of Denver
Introductory Electricity and Magnetism
Workshop Presented by Ruth Chabay and Bruce Sherwood

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Learning Processes, Knowledge Structures and Mental Models

Understanding Representations, Models, and Simulations

Students' Alternative Conceptions and Conceptual Change

Fostering Critical Thinking as part of Science Instruction

Understanding the Nature of Science

ON GOING RESEARCH PROJECTS

Using Vignettes in Teaching and Learning the Nature of Science

A survey of college students' understanding of momentum and impulse

A survey of abilities of drawing and understanding graphs required in physics laboratory courses

Photo-Math: Fostering an understanding of relevance of school mathematics in daily life.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• AAPT - American Association of Physics Teachers
• AERA - American Educational Research Association
• APERA – Asia Pacific Educational Research Association
• ESERA – European Science Education Research Association
• GIREP - Groupe International de Recherche sur l’Enseignement de la Physique
• NARST - National Association for Research in Science Teaching

• APER - Asia Pacific Education Review
• EJMSTE - Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education
• EJER - Eurasian Journal of Educational Research
• SER - Science Education Review
• İLKÖĞRETİM - ONLINE
• GEFAD - Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi
• Edu7 - Yeditepe Üniversitesi Egitim Fakültesi Dergisi

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY

2002, Founder, Coordinator, and Contact Person of the Science Education Research Group (SERG) at Gazi University, Ankara. (This group is the first of its kind in Turkey.)

2002, Judge, Evrensel Koleji, Science Fair, Ankara

2000, Manuscript Reviewer, AERA 2000 annual meeting

1998, Judge, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences, Science Project Competition, State College, PA

AWARDS RECEIVED

Endeavour Executive Award (2008). RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. The purpose of undertaking this award was to examine teacher education, teacher development, school systems, and science and technology curricula in Victoria and develop linkages with colleagues in Australia.
   The Endeavour Executive Awards provide professional development opportunities (e.g. intensive management training, peer-to-peer learning, short-term training, leadership and/or executive management training) for high achievers in business, industry, education or government from participating countries.  The Awards focus on building skills and knowledge through a host work environment rather than through formal enrolment in a study program at a host institution and are not intended to fund direct academic research. 
   The Endeavour Awards is the Australian Government's internationally competitive, merit-based scholarship program providing opportunities for citizens of the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia. 

Dissertation Fellowship, The Graduate School, The Pennsylvania State University (2001).

Doctoral Fellowship, National Education Development Project, Turkish Higher Education Council / World Bank (August 1996 - July 1999).

Fellowship Award for Supporting Emerging Young Scientists, TÜBİTAK - The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (1988).

EXPERIENCE IN USING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

1999-2000, used Penn State's CorseTalk facility http://coursetalk.cac.psu.edu/, an interactive asynchronous on-line discussion area, while teaching the “Introductory Field Experience for Teacher Preparation” course.

1998-2000, developed and maintained the course web pages for the “Fundamentals of Science, Technology, and Engineering Design” course (http://www.ed.psu.edu/ci/scied/scied497f/). Also taught the “West Point Bridge Designer” (WPBD) software to foster students' design skills in a computer environment.

For two semesters observed Professor Paul Sokol's Dynamic Physics classes, an innovative and technology based course, at Penn State University.

Knowledge of use of software packages: MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS FrontPage, MS Excel, various internet and e-mail access software, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe PhotoShop, File Maker Pro, MiniTab, SPSS, WPBD, EndNote, Nudist, Ulead MediaStudio Pro, and Ulead VideoStudio (for video/image capturing and editing).

PUBLICATIONS

Refereed-Published

1. Taşar, M. F., & Karaçam, S. (2008). T.C. 6-8. Sınıflar Fen ve Teknoloji Dersi Öğretim Programının A.B.D. Massachusetts Eyaleti Bilim ve Teknoloji/Mühendislik Dersi Öğretim Programı ile Karşılaştırılarak Değerlendirilmesi [A Comparison and of 6-8 Grade Science and Technology Curriculum Framework of The Turkish Republic and Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework of Massachusetts]. Millî Eğitim, 37(2), 195-212.
2. Temiz, B. K., Taşar, M. F., & Tan, M. (2006). Development and validation of a multiple format test of science process skills. International Education Journal, 7(7), 1007-1027.
3. Kandil-İngeç, Ş., Ünlü, P., & Taşar, M. F. (2006). “Temel Kavramlardan Oluşan Kompleks Bir Kavramın Öğrenme Gelişim Sıralamasının Araştırılması: Momentum” [An investigation of a complex concept consisting of elementary concepts: Momentum], Kırşehir Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 7 (1), 123-134.
4. Ünlü, P., & Kandil-İngeç, Ş., Taşar, M. F. (2006). “Öğretmen Adaylarının Momentum ve İmpuls Kavramlarına İlişkin Bilgi Yapılarının Kavram Haritaları Yöntemi ile Araştırılması” [An investigation of Teacher Candidates Knowledge Structures about Momentum and Impuls by Means of Concept Maps], Eğitim ve Bilim, 31 (139), 70-79.
5. Tasar, M.F. (2006). “Probing Preservice Teachers’ Understandings of Scientific Knowledge by Using a Vignette in Conjunction with a Paper and Pencil Test,” Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 2(1), 53-70.
6. Kandil-İngeç, Ş., Taşar, M.F. & Ünlü, P. (2005). Momentum ve impuls kavramlarını anlama - II: Öğretmen adaylarının momentum ve impuls konuları ile ilgili durumlar içeren problemlere verdikleri yazılı cevapların incelenmesi” [Understanding the concepts of momentum and impulse - II: An investigation of prospective teachers' extended written responses to problems about impuls and momentum], Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 25 (2), 309-326.
7. Arıkan, A., Argün, Z., Çakmak, M. & Taşar, M.F. (2004). Foto-Mat projesi ve matematik öğretmen adaylarının bu proje hakkındaki görüşleri. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 27, 30-39.
8. Taşar, M.F.  (2003). “Teaching history and the nature of science in science teacher education programs,” Pamukkale Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 7 (1), 30-42.
9. Taylor, J. A., Lunetta, V. N., Dana, T. M., & Tasar, M. F. (2002). Bridging science and engineering: An integrated course for non-science majors. Journal of College Science Teaching, 31 (6), 378-383.
10. Kandil-Ingeç, S., Unlu-Gunes, P., & Tasar, M. F. (2002). Momentum ve impuls kavramlarini anlama - I: Ogretmen adaylarinin açik uçlu sorularla momentum ve impulsu nasil tanimladiklarinin belirlenmesi. [Understanding the concepts of momentum and impulse - I: A survey of prospective teachers' definitions of impuls and momentum by open ended questions]. Gazi Egitim Fakultesi Dergisi, 22 (3).
11. Taylor, J. A., Dana, T. M., & Tasar, M. F. (2001). An integration of simple materials and complex ideas: description of an instructional sequence in statics. International Journal of Engineering Education, 17 (3), 267-275.

Tasar, M. F. (1999). A supplement for Engr/Scied 497F simple machines module: “How simple machines work: Serial or parallel? The case of pulleys.” Unpublished manuscript, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.

Tasar, M. F. (2001). A case study of a novice college student's alternative framework and learning of force and motion. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. 
(Full-text available at: http://etda.libraries.psu.edu/theses/approved/WorldWideIndex/ETD-66/index.html).

Tasar, M. F. (1996). An examination of characteristics and theories of high temperature superconductors. Unpublished master's thesis, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.

Lunetta, V. N., Taylor, J. A., Dana, T. M., Lakhtakia, A., Tasar, M. F., & Ramos, J. (1999, November). An innovative science course for teachers - White Paper.

1. Taşar, M.F. (August 24-29 2008). Qualitative Data Analysis. Workshop Presented at ESERA 2008 Summer School – European Science Education Research Association, National Science Learning Centre, University of York, York, UK.

2. Taşar, M.F. (August 21-25 2007). Struggle for Understanding Force and Motion: An Exemplar Case Study. Paper Presented at ESERA 2007 – European Science Education Research Association, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.

3. Taşar, M.F. (July 8-12 2007). Prospective Science Teachers’ Understanding and Textbook Portrayal of Scientific Laws and Theories and a Suggested Instructional Sequence for Teaching and Learning These Terms. Poster Presented at the World Science and Technology Education Conference 2007, Perth, Australia.

4. Taşar, M.F. & Atasoy, B. (November 28-30, 2006).  Turkish Educational System and The Recent Reform Efforts: The Example of the New Science and Technology Curriculum for Grade 4–8. Paper Presented at APERA 2006 – Asia Pacific Educational Research Association, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong SAR.

5. Atasoy, B. & Taşar, M.F. (November 28-30, 2006).  The History and Current Status of Teacher Education in Turkey: Prospects for Future. Paper Presented at APERA 2006 – Asia Pacific Educational Research Association, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong SAR.

6. Taşar, M. F.: “From Diagnosis to Treatment: Diagnosing Understanding about Force and Motion and Providing Analogies for Stimulating Meaningful Learning and Conceptual Change,” Paper Presented at GIREP 2006 – Groupe International de Recherche sur l’Enseignement de la Physique, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (August 20-25, 2006).

7. Taşar, M. F. (August 20-25, 2006).  “Learning about Machines: From Simple to Complex,” Poster Presented at GIREP 2006 – Groupe International de Recherche sur l’Enseignement de la Physique, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

8. Güneş, B. and Taşar, M. F. (August 20-25, 2006).  An Examination of Physics Subjects in the New National Curriculum for Science and Technology in Turkey. Paper Presented at GIREP 2006 – Groupe International de Recherche sur l’Enseignement de la Physique, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

9. Taşar, M. F., Ünlü, P., Kandil İngeç, Ş. (August 20-25, 2006). “Teacher Candidates' Understanding of Impulse and Momentum,” Paper Presented at GIREP 2006 – Groupe International de Recherche sur l’Enseignement de la Physique, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

10. Taşar, M. F., (31 May- 4June, 2006). Portraying and understanding the relationship between theory and scientific law. Paper Presented at NAESA 2006 – Joint North American European and South American Symposium: Science and Technology Literacy in the 21st Century, University of Cyprus.

11. Salman-Akın, B., Taşar, M. F., Yaman, S. and Bozkurt, O. (31 May- 4June, 2006). Eighth Grade Students' Attitudes Toward Environmental Issues. Paper Presented at NAESA 2006 – Joint North American European and South American Symposium: Science and Technology Literacy in the 21st Century, University of Cyprus.

12. Robinett, R. W., Cataloglu, E., & Tasar, M. F. (2000, August). Development and Tests of a Quantum Mechanics Assessment Instrument*. Paper Presented at the summer meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (121st AAPT National Meeting), Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
    (Supported in part by NSF grant #DUE 9950702)

13. Tasar, M. F., Dana, T. M., & Lunetta, V. N. (2000, April). What it takes to understand: One college student's mental model of force, acceleration, and velocity. Paper presented at the annual meeting of American Educational Research Association (AERA), New Orleans, LA.

14. Tasar, M. F., Dana, T. M., & Lunetta, V. N. (2000, April 28-May 1). Learning concepts and solving problems in simple machines. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, New Orleans, LA.

15. Tasar, M. F., Dana, T. M., Taylor, J. A., & Lunetta, V. N. (2000, January). Authentic Instruction and Non-Trivial Physical Science for Non-Majors. Paper presented at the winter meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (120th AAPT National Meeting), Kissimmee, FL.

16. Robinett, R. W., Cataloglu, E., & Tasar, M. F. (2000, January). Validation of the Quantum Mechanics Visualization Instrument (QMVI). Paper Presented at the winter meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (120th AAPT National Meeting), Kissimmee, FL.
    (Supported in part by NSF grant #DUE 9950702)

17. Cataloglu, E., Robinett, R. W., & Tasar, M. F. (2000, January). Augmentation of Students’ Visual Understanding of Selected Topics in Quantum Mechanics. Paper Presented at the winter meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (120th AAPT National Meeting), Kissimmee, FL.
    (Supported in part by NSF grant #DUE 9950702)

18. Tasar, M. F. (1999, October). Reflections about training prospective elementary school teachers in science at Penn State University: Glimpses of an authentic instruction. Paper presented at the North-East regional meeting of the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science, Syracuse University, NY.

19. Tasar, M. F., & Van Meter, P. (1999, August). An Investigation of Students' Learning Processes in Simple Machines. Paper presented at the summer meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (119th AAPT National Meeting), San Antonio, TX.

20. Tasar, M. F., Taylor, J. A., & Dana, T. M. (1999, August). Engineering with LegosTM. Paper presented at the summer meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (119th AAPT National Meeting), San Antonio, TX.

21. Taylor, J. A., Dana, T. M., & Tasar, M. F. (1999, August). An Integrated Engineering/Physics Course for Elementary Education Majors. Paper presented at the summer meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (119th AAPT National Meeting), San Antonio, TX.

22. Macaroglu, E., Tasar, M. F., & Cataloglu, E. (1999, April). The Turkish Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Beliefs about the Nature of Science. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Diego, CA.

National Conferences

Paper Presentations

1. Aydın, F. ve Taşar, M.F. (7-9 Eylül, 2006). İnformal Öğrenme Kapsamında Bilimsel Alan Gezilerinin Fen Eğitimindeki Yeri. VII. Ulusal Fen ve Matematik Eğitimi Kongresinde Sunulmuş Sözlü Bildiri, Gazi Üniversitesi, Ankara.

2. Taşar, M. F., Balkan Kıyıcı, F., Aslan, O., ve Özkaya, A., “2004 Hayat Bilgisi Programının 4.ve 5.sınıf fen ve teknoloji dersinin fen boyutuna temel oluşturulması aşısından incelenmesi”, Ulusal Sınıf Öğretmenliği Kongresi, Ankara, 2006, Bildiriler Kitabı 1. cilt. s. 393-400.

3. Taşar, M. F., “Eğitim Fakültelerinin Yeniden Yapılandırılması ve Fen Eğitimi”, Eğitim Fakültelerinde Yeniden Yapılandırmanın Sonuçları ve Öğretmen Yetiştirme Sempozyumu, Gazi Üniversitesi, Ankara, 2005.

4. Taşar, M. F., “Proje Tabanlı Öğrenme Yaklaşımına Dayalı Bütünleşik Bir Dersin Sınıf Öğretmenliğindeki Uygulanması ve Sonuçlar”, I. Ulusal Fen ve Teknoloji Eğitiminde Çağdaş Yaklaşımlar Sempozyumu, Ankara, 2005.

5. Taşar, M. F., “Sempozyum Açılış Konuşması”, İstek Vakfı Okulları I. Fen ve Matematik Öğretmenleri Sempozyumu, İstanbul, 2005.

6. Tasar, M. F. (2002, September). Bilim Hakkinda Gorusler Anketi [The Views About Science Survey]. Paper presented at the Fifth National Congress of Science and Mathematics Education, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

7. Tasar, M. F. (2002, September). Oğrencilerin bir ipte olusan gerilim hakkindaki yerlesik kanilari [Students' conceptions of tension in a string]. Paper presented at the Fifth National Congress of Science and Mathematics Education, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

8. Tasar, M. F., Temiz, B. K., & Tan, M. (2002, September). Ilkoğretim fen ogretim programinin bilimsel surec becerilerini gelistirmede hedefler, içerik ve egitim durumlari bakimindan incelenmesi. [An examination of the Turkish national middle school science curriculum from the perspective of fostering science process skills thorough its proposed aims, content, and teaching methods]. Paper presented at the Fifth National Congress of Science and Mathematics Education, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

9. Tasar, M. F. (2002, September). Ogrencilerin kuvvet ve hareketi kavrayislarinin bir tani-testi ile saptanmasi. [Determining students' conceptions of force and motion by using a diagnostic test]. Paper presented at the Fifth National Congress of Science and Mathematics Education, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

Poster Sessions

1. İlter, Ş. & Taşar, M.F. (7-9 Eylül, 2006). Öğrenci Merkezli Eğitim Hakkında İki İlköğretim Fen Bilgisi Öğretmeninin Görüşleri. VII. Ulusal Fen ve Matematik Eğitimi Kongresinde Sunulmuş Poster, Gazi Üniversitesi, Ankara.

2. Taşar, M.F., Çakmak, M., Arıkan, A. ve Argün, Z. (7-9 Eylül, 2006). Foto-Mat Projesi: Matematik Öğretmeni Yetiştirmede Bir Otantik Öğretim Örneği.. VII. Ulusal Fen ve Matematik Eğitimi Kongresinde Sunulmuş Poster, Gazi Üniversitesi, Ankara.

3. Unlu-Gunes, P., Tasar, M. F., & Kandil-Ingeç, S. (2002, September). Ogrencilerin momentumun korunumu hakkindaki dusunceleri ve bu kavramin ogretilmesi uzerine gorusler [Students' conceptions of conservation of momentum and implications for teaching this concept]. Poster session presented at the Fifth National Congress of Science and Mathematics Education, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

4. Kandil-Ingeç, S., Unlu-Gunes, P., & Tasar, M. F. (2002, September). Ogrencilerin impulsu tanimlamalari ve bir probleme uygulamalari [Students' definitions of impulse and using their definitions in solving a problem]. Poster session presented at the Fifth National Congress of Science and Mathematics Education, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

5. Tasar, M. F., Kandil-Ingeç, S., & Unlu-Gunes, P. (2002, September). Grafik çizme ve anlama becerisinin saptanmasi [Measuring students' skills of drawing and understanding graphs]. Poster session presented at the Fifth National Congress of Science and Mathematics Education, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

Tasar, M. F. (1998). Individual differences and science education: Effects of field-dependence/independence on learning and teaching science. Unpublished manuscript.

Tasar, M. F. (1998). Mental models and modeling: Knowledge structures and science education. Unpublished manuscript.

 

Last Updated January 10, 2007