The comparison of the performance of the high and low performance countries of TIMSS 2007 in terms of the methods of teaching used by science teachers

Previous researches have been introduced teaching method as one of the influential variables in the school performance. The current study has been designed to explore the role of teaching method in achievement in the comparative study perspective. To achieve, four higher performing countries in TIMSS 2007 as well as the three lower performing countries in fourth grade were selected and the their teaching method were compared. The results showed that in high-performing countries the student-centered teaching method is applied more than the low-performing countries. On the other hand, the teacher-centered and experimental approach is used more in low-performing countries. According to the results, the teachers in high-performance countries likely use more appropriate methods to improve the students learning. Moreover, despite of predominance using the experimental teaching methods in low-performing countries, the results emphasis that using these methods should be revised in such countries.