ÖZCAN PALAVAN | Social Sciences | Most Reader’s Article Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr ÖZCAN PALAVAN, EUROPENA UNIVERSITY OF LEFKE, Cyprus

Dr. Özcan Palavan is a distinguished Associate Professor of Classroom Teaching at the European University of Lefke. With a strong background in educational sciences and a commitment to pedagogical excellence, he has contributed significantly to the field through his research on brain-based learning, critical thinking, and values education. Dr. Palavan earned his PhD from Ondokuz Mayıs University, where he also completed his Master’s and Bachelor’s studies. His academic career spans over two decades, during which he has served as a research assistant, assistant professor, and associate professor at several prominent institutions, including Marmara University, Zirve University, and Girne American University. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in international journals, exploring educational strategies that enhance student learning and development. Known for his interdisciplinary approach and impactful scholarship, Dr. Palavan is actively engaged in mentoring future educators and advancing sustainable teacher education practices.

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Özcan Palavan holds a PhD in Classroom Teaching from the Institute of Educational Sciences at Ondokuz Mayıs University, awarded in December 2012. His doctoral thesis, titled “Hayat bilgisi dersinde beyin temelli öğrenmenin öğrencilerin başarılarına, tutumlarına ve eleştirel düşünme becerilerine etkisi,” was supervised by Prof. Erdoğan Başar. He previously earned his Master’s degree (with thesis) from the Institute of Social Sciences at Ondokuz Mayıs University in April 2007. His thesis focused on evaluating the access level of 4th-grade students in multigrade classrooms to the learning outcomes in social studies. Dr. Palavan began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Classroom Teaching from the Faculty of Education at Ondokuz Mayıs University, completed in July 2002. Throughout his academic training, he developed expertise in brain-based learning, critical thinking, and inclusive education, laying the foundation for a prolific career in educational research and higher education instruction.

Experience

Dr. Özcan Palavan has over 20 years of academic experience in teacher education and pedagogy. He began his career as a Research Assistant at Ondokuz Mayıs University (2002–2007) and later at Marmara University (2008–2009), before returning to Ondokuz Mayıs University (2009–2013). He became an Assistant Professor at Zirve University (2013–2016), and continued in the same capacity at Girne American University (2016–2017). From 2017 to 2022, he served as an Assistant Professor at the European University of Lefke, where he was later promoted to Associate Professor in 2022. His roles have encompassed teaching, curriculum development, and scholarly research in classroom teaching and educational sciences. His long-standing academic presence in Turkish and Cypriot universities reflects a deep commitment to educational innovation and mentoring future teachers.

Awards and Honors

While specific formal awards are not detailed in the provided profile, Dr. Özcan Palavan has received significant academic recognition through long-standing appointments at prestigious institutions and his progression to the rank of Associate Professor. His full scholarship appointments (tam burslu) at several universities—including Zirve University and the European University of Lefke—underscore his merit and academic distinction. His body of scholarly work, which includes over 15 international peer-reviewed articles, speaks to his recognition within the educational research community. Moreover, his engagement in interdisciplinary and cross-cultural studies, particularly within Northern Cyprus, has enhanced his professional visibility and contributed to the global discourse on teacher education, values education, and critical thinking. His academic career exemplifies sustained scholarly contribution and educational impact.

Research Focus

Dr. Özcan Palavan’s research is centered on classroom teaching methodologies, brain-based learning, critical thinking, values education, and inclusive education. His doctoral work explored how brain-based strategies affect student achievement and thinking skills in social studies classes. Over time, he expanded his research into areas such as students’ perceptions of hygiene and homeland, the role of drama in self-confidence and problem-solving, and the effectiveness of outdoor education. Dr. Palavan is particularly known for integrating neuroscience and pedagogy, aiming to create engaging and effective learning environments. His studies frequently analyze the influence of educational programs on student attitudes, digital vs. paper-based writing behaviors, and preservice teacher development. Through empirical and meta-analytic methods, he contributes to refining classroom strategies that promote holistic development and sustainable educational practices. His work is widely published in international journals, reflecting both academic rigor and a strong practical orientation.

Publication Top Notes

1. 📘 Mentor Teachers’ Opinions for Sustainable Teacher Education: The Case of Northern Cyprus (2025)

2. 📗 Değer Eğitimi Bakımından Hayat Bilgisi Programı (KKTC Örneği) (2025)

3. 📕 The Concept of Hygiene of Primary School Students in the Scope of Social Studies Teaching (2023)

4. 📙 Lise Öğrencilerinin İletişim Becerileri ve Empati Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi (2022)

5. 📘 An Assessment of University Students’ Book Reading Levels and Problem Solving Skills (2022)

6. 📗 Effect of Personal and Familial Characteristics on Students’ Attitudes Towards Paper vs. Digital Writing (2022)

7. 📕 The Concept of Homeland in Elementary School Students (2021)

8. 📙 Elementary and Middle School Students’ Perception of Homeland through Metaphors (2021)

9. 📘 Effect of Critical Thinking Education on Preservice Teachers’ Skills and Dispositions (2020)

10. 📗 Fen Bilimleri Dersinde Beyin Temelli Öğrenme Etkinliklerinin Akademik Başarıya Etkisi (2018)

11. 📕 Attitudes of Primary School Teachers towards Inclusive Education (2018)

12. 📙 Bilgisayar Destekli Öğretimin İlköğretim Öğrencilerinin Akademik Başarısına Etkisi – Meta Analiz (2017)

13. 📘 Impact of Drama Education on Self-Confidence and Problem Solving Skills in Primary Students (2017)

14. 📗 Perspectives of Elementary School Teachers on Outdoor Education (2016)

15. 📕 Evaluation of Media Literacy Course According to School Principals’ Opinions (2009)