How should the Social Studies Teaching Undergraduate Program be? Teachers` Opinions and Suggestions

Authors : Cevdet YILMAZ, Yıldıray KARADAĞ, Fatma Özge BAYRAM

Pages : 97-160

Doi:10.7822/omuefd.1201115

View : 76 | Download : 218

Publication Date : 2023-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study examined the views and suggestions of Social Studies teachers regarding the Social Studies teaching undergraduate programme. We used a basic qualitative research method and criterion sampling, and maximum variation sampling to determine the participant group. We conducted the research with 14 Social Studies teachers. A standardised open-ended interview form developed by the researchers was used as a data collection tool. The data were analysed using the content analysis method. According to the findings, the Social Studies undergraduate programme provides the most competencies, including national, spiritual and universal values, personal and professional development, communication and cooperation, creating learning environments and managing the teaching and learning process. We determined that there is a lack of competencies such as managing the teaching and learning process, field knowledge, field education knowledge and education and training planning. However, the study evinced that Social Studies teachers should possess the most competency in national, spiritual and universal values, personal and professional development, approach to students, content knowledge, communication and cooperation, and managing the teaching and learning process. We also determined that the participants had various suggestions about compulsory, elective courses and courses to be removed from the programme. The study revealed a need to add courses such as Immigration and Immigrant Education, School Management, Psychology and Education of Generation Z and Alpha, Constitution, Diction and Oratory Education, Climate Change and Environmental Problems to the Social Studies undergraduate programme. We determined that regulations such as teaching practice, classroom and school management, teaching strategies, methods and techniques, and increasing the number of applied courses in the undergraduate programme are required. The research results suggested that the Social Studies teaching undergraduate programme should be structured in a practical and field-oriented manner, that it would allow following the innovations in technology applications, and that courses on contemporary topics, including current events and problems, should be added.
Keywords : Sosyal Bilgiler Lisans Programı, Öğretmen, Sosyal Bilgiler Eğitimi, Görüş, Öneri