Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Education and Science, cilt.48, sa.213, ss.169-203, 2023 (SSCI)
Social Studies is one of the most important courses that provides
students with basic information, skills, and values and prepares
them for social life. Current events comprise the most important
social resources employed in Social Studies courses for students,
ensuring their familiarity with the society and world in which they
live. The objectives of this study were to determine the problems
experienced in current event teaching in Social Studies courses, and
to develop and implement applications in which active learning
techniques were used to solve these problems. The use of active
learning techniques contributes significantly to students'
understanding of events that occur in society and those discussed
in social studies courses. Thus, the study aimed to increase the
quality of current event teaching in Social Studies courses and to
determine the opinions of students and teachers related to the
process. A qualitative research method that entailed action
research design was employed. Research was conducted on 5th
grade students and their Social Studies teachers during the fall and
spring semesters of the 2019-2020 academic year. The research
included semi-structured interviews, observations, diaries of the
researchers, teachers, and students, video recordings of the
application process, and student products that were employed as
data collecting instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive
analysis. Research findings indicate that teaching current events by
means of active learning techniques in Social Studies courses
enabled the students to actively participate in the course, display
interest in the course and current events, prepare themselves for
real life, and acquire the habit of following an agenda. Study results
indicate that teaching current events in Social Studies courses by
means of active learning techniques provides students with correct
and effective use of Turkish; research, empathy, critical thinking,
and media literacy skills; and the values of sensitivity, diligence,
and justice. At the end of the study, various suggestions for
application and research based on the results obtained are offered.