Alper Durukan, Ph.D.

Dissertations

PhD · 2023

The interplay between teacher knowledge and creativity: Insights from the extended reality assisted learning design process of pre-service science teachers
Doctoral thesis, Middle East Technical University – Ankara, Türkiye.
GPA 4.0/4.0 · Publication No. 834527
MSc · 2018

Investigating the effects of virtual reality enriched learning environment on pre-service science teachers
Master’s thesis, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University – Van, Türkiye.
Publication No. 10214486

Research Interests

Education

PhD: Middle East Technical University

Institute: Institute of Natural Sciences

Department: Science Education

Full Honors with GPA: 4/4

Master's (Thesis): Van Yüzüncü Yıl University

Institute: Institute of Educational Sciences

Department: Science Education

Bachelor's: Ege University

Faculty: Faculty of Education

Program: Science Teaching

Secondary Education:

School: Mehmet Akif Ersoy Anatolian High School

School: Ömer Özyer Anatolian Teacher Training High School

Experience in the Field of Education

Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Education
Assistant Professor · April 15, 2024 - Present · Van, Turkey

Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Science Education

Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Journal of Education, Section Editor
Science Education · December, 2024 - Present · Van, Turkey

Van Yuzuncu Yil University, STEM Education Practice and Research Center
Deputy Director & Board Member · November 15, 2021 - Present · Van, Turkey

Teacher STEM Training (for teachers working in Van and neighboring provinces)
STEM Training for Prospective Teachers (for Senior Pre-service teachers)
Student STEM Training (for primary and high school students)

Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Education
Research Assistant · February 15, 2016 - April 15, 2024 · Van, Turkey

Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Science Education
Graduate Courses Taught:

Innovative Instructional Technologies and Applications in Science Education
Literature Review Strategies and Reporting of Literature Reviews in Science Education

Undergraduate Courses Taught (Current Curriculum):

Biology 1
Biology 2
Biology 3
Physics 1
Physics 2
Physics 3
Chemistry 1
Chemistry 2
Chemistry 3
Community Service Practices
Science Teaching Laboratory Practices 1
Science Teaching Laboratory Practices 2
Material Design in Science Teaching
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Teaching Practice 1
Teaching Practice 2

Undergraduate Courses Taught (Previous Curriculum)

General Physics Laboratory I
General Chemistry Laboratory I
General Physics Laboratory II
General Chemistry Laboratory II
General Biology Laboratory I
General Physics Laboratory III
General Chemistry III (Analytical Chemistry)
General Biology Laboratory II
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Science Teaching Lab Practices I
Instructional Technologies and Material Design
Science Teaching Lab Practices II
Community Service Practices
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Special Teaching Methods I
Special Teaching Methods II
School Experience
Teaching Practice

Private İzlen Student Study Education Center

Science Teacher · October 1, 2015 - January 22, 2016 · Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey

Science Instruction in K-12 Levels & English Mentorship

TÜBİTAK
Project Guide · September 2, 2014 - September 5, 2014 · İzmir, Turkey

Science-Design-Technology Stories 4: Let's Revive Aquatic Ecosystems, TÜBİTAK 4004

Ege University Faculty of Education
Part-Time Student Employee · 2013-2014 Academic Year · İzmir, Turkey

Science Education Department

Ege Contemporary Education Foundation
Volunteer Educator · October 2, 2013 - December 5, 2013 · İzmir, Turkey

Science and Computer Education

ETEN (European Teacher Education Network)
Active Participant · November 5, 2012 - November 8, 2012 · İzmir, Turkey

“Technology Education” and “Science Education” Workshops

Skills

Expertise & Professional Skills

Expert Comprehensive Expertise

Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) Instructional Design
Generative AI for Learning Content Creation
STEM Curriculum Development
Mixed-Methods Research
Graduate Student Mentoring & Research Supervision
Academic Writing & Peer-review Publishing (C1 English)

Advanced Highly endorsed skills

Instructional Technology Integration
Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Grant Writing & Funding Acquisition (TÜBİTAK 2204 / 2209, Erasmus+)
Data Analysis • SPSS | JASP
Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods
Microsoft 365 & LibreOffice • Windows / GNU Linux
Research Project Management

Proficient Complementary skills

Science Communication & Outreach
Public Speaking & Conference Presentation
Classroom Management
Educational Drama & Embodied Learning
Human Anatomy (STEAM integration)
Professional Foreign-Language Communication (Turkish • English • basic German)

Experiences in the IT Field

Sorbana - AI Visual Assistant

Mobile App Developer · January 2025 - Present

Sorbana AI is an AI-powered visual analysis and Q&A application. You can take or upload a photo and ask any questions about the image.

Outlier

AI Training Expert · May 2024 - Present · Remote

Training and Refinement of LLMs

DurAI - AI-Powered Academic Search Engine

Developer & Designer · July 2023 · Van, Turkey

Academic search engine supported by Google and Gemini LLM with RAG

Durukan LMS

Developer & Administrator & Educator · January 2022 · Van, Turkey

Moodle-based learning management system for higher education

hourglAss

Developer · December 2015 · Ankara, Turkey

A simple Chrome application I developed to help with focus

REVOLUTIONOFNET

Founder · July 2013 · İzmir, Turkey

Revolutionary Internet Solutions, Currently Undergoing Renewal

EGEÇEM (Ege University Child Education Practice and Research Center)

Developer & Content Manager · October 15, 2013 - March 21, 2015 · İzmir, Turkey

Corporate internet infrastructure service.

Yenmez Agricultural Tools

Developer & Content Manager · February 2012 - August 2014 · İzmir, Turkey

Corporate internet infrastructure & identity service.

The Ultimate Aye

Developer · June 2011 - August 2011 · İzmir, Turkey

An extension for Google Chrome & Chromium-based browsers and the Chromebook platform to filter harmful and ad content.

Turk Online Network

Content Editor · July 2007 - June 2009 · Fethiye/Muğla, Turkey

An internet portal hosting various online services for users.

IT Skills

IT & Digital-Learning Skills

Advanced Learning-tech architecture & automation

Mixed-reality (XR) classroom design · Meta Quest 2 / 3, HTC Vive Focus 3
Generative-AI prompt engineering · OpenAI API (GPT-4o) | Gemini | Claude
Retrieval-augmented chatbots · LangChain | LlamaIndex | custom RAG pipelines
Robotic Process Automation · UiPath ✨ | Microsoft Power Automate | n8n
e-Learning authoring with Articulate 360 (Storyline & Rise)
LMS administration – Moodle | WordPress (LearnDash) | Open edX
Web stack: HTML5 · CSS3 · Bootstrap v5 · custom WordPress theme dev
GNU/Linux server admin (openSUSE, Debian/Ubuntu) & Android Development
Blockchain & Web3 fundamentals (smart-contract literacy, wallets)

Intermediate Data science & full-stack workflow

Python 3 scripting · Pandas · NumPy · visualization in Matplotlib
Machine learning pipelines · scikit-learn | KNIME
NLP · spaCy | NLTK; text classification & topic modelling
JavaScript (ES6+) · basic Vue / Vanilla DOM apps
PHP 7+ & MySQL / MariaDB for CMS customisation
Container & VM use – Docker, VirtualBox, VMware Workstation
Computer-vision prototyping – OpenCV | YOLOv8 inference
Version control with Git / GitHub
Data dashboards – Excel Power Query · Google Sheets
SEO optimisation & Analytics setup for educational sites
Graphics & UI assets – Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator

Foundation Emerging dev & AI frameworks

Deep-learning experimentation – PyTorch | TensorFlow / Keras
AutoML tooling – Azure AutoML | H2O.ai
Modern front-end: React, Tailwind CSS, Node.js + Express basics
REST API design & MVC patterns for education micro-services

Publications

View on ResearchGate 33

Systematic review study on generative AI in science education – Manuscript under review.
An empirical research article on TPACK and creativity in science teaching – Manuscript under review.

Artun, H., Durukan, A., & Temur, A. (2020). Effects of virtual-reality-enriched science laboratory activities on pre-service science teachers’ science-process skills. Education and Information Technologies, 25, 5477–5498. doi
Durukan, A., Artun, H., & Bakırcı, H. (2018). Constructivist micro-teaching practices in the science and technology laboratory applications course with pre-service classroom teachers: A mixed-methods study. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 8(3), 222–241. doi
Durukan, A., Artun, H., & Temur, A. (2020). Virtual reality in science education: A descriptive review. Journal of Science Learning, 3(3), 132–142. doi
Şardağ, M., Durukan, A., & Tüysüz, M. (2017). The effect of inquiry-based learning approach on pre-service science teachers’ analytical chemistry learning. Yüzüncü Yıl University Journal of Education Faculty, 14(1), 1657–1696. doi
Şardağ, M., Tuysuz, M., Durukan, A., & Gök, M. (2021). An examination of the relationships between pre-service teachers’ epistemological beliefs and types of multiple intelligence. International Journal of Progressive Education, 17(4), 155–170. PDF
Temur, A., Durukan, A., & Artun, H. (2022). The relationship between pre-service science teachers’ self-efficacy towards science teaching and tendency to use technology in classes. Elementary School Forum, 9(2), 367–380. doi

Akbulut, E., & Durukan, A. (2024, Oct). Fen eğitiminde öğretim materyali olarak üretken yapay zekanın kullanılabilirliği (Usability of generative AI as an instructional material in science education). TRB2-ICES-III.
Altun, M. S., & Durukan, A. (2024, Oct). Üretken yapay zekanın fen eğitimine entegrasyonu: Sistematik bir inceleme (Integration of generative AI into science education: A systematic review). TRB2-ICES-III.
Artun, H., Bakırcı, H., & Durukan, A. (2017, 11-14 May). Sınıf öğretmeni adaylarının 5E öğrenme modeliyle gerçekleştirdikleri fen ve teknoloji laboratuvarı uygulamalarından yansımalar. IV^th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Denizli, Türkiye.
Artun, H., Dağtekin, N., Bakırcı, H., & Durukan, A. (2017, Apr 20-23). Investigation of the variables influencing middle school students’ awareness of technology use in courses. 26^th International Conference on Educational Sciences, Antalya, Türkiye.
Bakırcı, H., Artun, H., & Durukan, A. (2017, 20-23 Apr). Sanal gerçeklik kavramı fen bilimleri öğretmen adayları için neyi ifade etmektedir? 26^th International Conference on Educational Sciences, Antalya.
Bakırcı, H., Şardağ, M., & Durukan, A. (2016, 28-30 Sep). Fen bilimleri öğretmen adaylarının özel öğretim yöntemleri dersi kapsamındaki uygulamaları. 12^th National Science & Mathematics Education Congress, Trabzon, Türkiye.
Duru, F. E., & Durukan, A. (2024, Oct). Fen bilimleri dersi öğretim programında sürdürülebilir kalkınma: Özet sistematik derleme. TRB2-ICES-III.
Durukan, A., Cakiroglu, J., & Aydın-Günbatar, S. (2024, Mar 17-20). Modeling the interplay between creativity and knowledge through pre-service science teachers’ design practices. NARST 2024, Denver, USA.
Durukan, A., Cakiroglu, J., & Aydın-Günbatar, S. (2023, Aug 28-Sep 1). Investigating the interplay between TPACK and creativity of pre-service science teachers. 15^th ESERA Conference, Cappadocia, Türkiye.
Durukan, A., Cakiroglu, J., & Aydın-Günbatar, S. (2024, May). Enhancing science education: Rethinking teacher knowledge in AI integration. XI International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Antalya, Türkiye.
Durukan, A., Aydın-Günbatar, S., & Cakiroglu, J. (2023). Oyunlaştırmanın yaratıcı öğretim materyalleri tasarımındaki kullanımı. 15^th National Science & Mathematics Education Congress, Kars, Türkiye.
Durukan, A., & Sungur, S. (2020, 10-13 Sep). Pre-service science teachers’ perceptions of technology integration: Does program choice matter? VII International Eurasian Educational Research Congress (online), Eskişehir, Türkiye.
Durukan, A., Temur, A., & Artun, H. (2018, 7-8 Dec). Sanal gerçeklik destekli mikroöğretim uygulamaları: A peer assessment study. 2^nd International Turkic World Educational Sciences & Social Sciences Congress, Antalya.
Durukan, A., Temur, A., Artun, H., Tüysüz, M., & Şardağ, M. (2018, 18-22 Apr). Reflections from VR-supported laboratory practices in science-teacher education. 27^th International Conference on Educational Sciences, Antalya.
Durukan, A., Tuysuz, M., Şardağ, M., & Boynukara, Z. (2018, Apr 18-22). Inconsistencies and solutions in core course plans: A peer assessment. 27^th International Conference on Educational Sciences, Antalya.
Gök, M., Şardağ, M., Tuysuz, M., & Durukan, A. (2018, 28 Jun-1 Jul). Relationships between pre-service teachers' epistemological beliefs and multiple intelligence. ERPA International Congress on Education 2018, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Kocakaya, S., & Durukan, A. (2018, Apr 18-22). Factors affecting science-teacher candidates’ evaluations of instructors. 27^th International Conference on Educational Sciences, Antalya.
Ötün, Y., Artun, H., Bakırcı, H., Tozlu, İ., & Durukan, A. (2017, 11-14 May). Variables affecting middle-school students’ awareness of environmental-education concepts. IV^th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Denizli, Türkiye.
Sardag, M., Tuysuz, M., & Durukan, A. (2018, Apr 18-22). A mentoring process for professional development of pre-service science teachers. 27^th International Conference on Educational Sciences, Antalya.
Şardağ, M., Tuysuz, M., & Durukan, A. (2017, Sep 28-Oct 1). Effect of inquiry-based learning on analytical chemistry learning. 2^nd International Contemporary Educational Research Congress, Muğla, Türkiye.

Durukan, A., Artun, H., & Temur, A. (2020). Sanal gerçeklik destekli fen öğretimi etkinlikleri. In F. Akça (Ed.), Eğitimin üç temel öğesi: Öğrenme, öğrenci ve öğretmen (Vol. 1, pp. 219-238). İksad Publications.
Durukan, A. (2019). Gerçekliğin ötesinde eğitim: Sanal gerçeklik destekli fen öğretimi. In H. Artun & S. A. Günbatar (Eds.), Çağdaş yaklaşımlarla destekli fen öğretimi: Teoriden uygulamaya etkinlik örnekleri (pp. 233-252). Pegem Akademi. doi
Durukan, A. (2020). Fen eğitimi araştırmalarında sanal gerçekliğin tarihsel serüveni. In H. Artun, S. Aydın-Günbatar, & M. S. Günbatar (Eds.), Fen öğretiminde teknoloji eğilimleri (pp. 147-170). Pegem Akademi.

Durukan, A. (2023). The interplay between teacher knowledge and creativity: Insights from the extended reality assisted learning design process of pre-service science teachers. Doctoral dissertation, Middle East Technical University. Publication No. 834527.
Durukan, A. (2018). Examining the effects of a virtual-reality-enriched learning environment on pre-service science teachers. Master’s thesis, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University. Publication No. 10214486.

Awards and Scholarships

Erasmus+ Staff Mobility for Training – EERA Summer School “Culture in Education”, Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany)
Grant confirmed · Spring 2025 · Programme dates: 2 – 6 June 2025
LOK-A Undergraduate Research Project (BAP) – “Interaction between technological pedagogical content knowledge for science teaching and personality traits”
Principal investigator / supervisor · Grant awarded · April 2025
TÜBİTAK 2209-A Undergraduate Research Project – “Examining the use of generative AI applications by pre-service science teachers”
Supervisor · Funding approved · 2024 1^st cycle
TÜBİTAK 2209-A Undergraduate Research Project – “Pre-service teachers’ readiness for AI integration in education”
Supervisor · Funding approved · 2024 1^st cycle
TÜBİTAK 2209-A Undergraduate Research Project – “Reasons behind programme choice and career motivation of pre-service science teachers”
Supervisor · Funding approved · 2024 1^st cycle
TÜBİTAK 2209-A Undergraduate Research Project – “Reflections of teaching-practicum courses on pre-service science teachers”
Supervisor · Funding approved · 2024 1^st cycle
TÜBİTAK 2204 Travel Grant – NARST 2024 International Conference, Denver (USA)
Funding approved · March 2024 · Presented paper “Modeling the interplay between creativity and knowledge …” · 17 – 20 March 2024
ESERA 2023 Fellowship – 15^th ESERA Conference, Cappadocia (Türkiye)
Scholarship awarded · August 2023 · Presented paper “Investigating the interplay between the TPACK and creativity of pre-service science teachers” · 28 Aug – 1 Sep 2023

Achieved Qualifications/Certificates

Learning to Teach Online

LinkedIn Learning · April 2025

Teaching with Technology

LinkedIn Learning · April 2025

Basic Level Python Training for University Students and Recent Graduates in Van Provinces

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) · July 2024

Develop Your Prompt Engineering Skills