A researcher at Turkey's Ministry of National Education tested whether the 7E model, an inquiry based plan where pupils investigate and explain instead of listening, teaches children more about radiation from phones and wireless devices than ordinary teaching. Two fourth-grade classes at one public primary school, 48 pupils, were assigned by lot and sat the same four-question test before and after.
Both classes improved, the 7E class by more: a median score of 0 out of 8 before and 8 after, against 0 and 5 in the other class. All seven pupils interviewed from the 7E class said they had cut their phone and tablet time because of what they learned; the one pupil in the other class who cut back said it was because his parents were angry.
Quotes
"This restricted score variability may have reduced the sensitivity of the instrument to detect individual differences and may have contributed to the very large effect sizes observed."
"These findings should be interpreted within the context of the study’s design, measurement tools, and reliance on students’ self-reported data, and they do not imply directly observed or long-term behavior change."
"I no longer play on my phone as much. Because I learned that it emits radiation."
"Teacher, I don’t play games on my phone as much anymore because my parents get angry."
Location
📍 Turkey
Effect of 7E instruction on primary students' non-ionizing radiation knowledge and protective behaviors
Tokgöz EÖ (2026) Journal of Education and Health Promotion Journal Level 1ⓘ
