Open Journal for Educational Research

77-86

Authors: Ahmet Durmaz

There are many methods and techniques used in social studies education. Some of them are good guides for students in the subjects which they want to learn, but others cannot. Therefore, alternative methods should be used in order to understand the social studies lesson better for students. Poetry and music are some of these alternative forms. In terms of applicability of this method, opinions of teachers of social studies working in various middle schools in Nevşehir province were taken. Qualitative data collection tools were used in the research and descriptive and content analysis methods were used in the analysis of qualitative data. A semi-structured interview form prepared by field experts was used as data collection tool. In addition, other field experts have been consulted for the validity of the form. The data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis methods. Categorical analysis technique was used in content analysis. In addition, internal reliability of the questionnaire was increased by quantifying qualitative data by making direct citations from the interviews, and by giving examples from teacher opinions about the questions, it was aimed to explain the opinions of the teachers better. The opinions of the teachers, the applicability of poetry and music to social studies course has been put forward. Studies and findings show that teachers’ opinions on the use of poetry and music in social studies are positive.

103-116

Authors: Aikaterini Dima, Eleni Kaiafa & Asterios Tsiaras

The aim of this study is to examine and determine the extent to which educational drama, as an innovative teaching approach, can cultivate critical thinking of students in primary school. Based on the principles of educational drama, 15 theatrical workshops were designed in relation with and corresponding to the culture and interests of the specific age group. The experimental method that was followed, was designed and implemented in three discrete stages including: the pre-research stage, the main research stage and the results extraction stage. The sample comprising 400 students aged 8-10 has been drawn from six different primary schools in Greece, the subjects of which were randomly selected. Five critical thinking skills were studied, including subtraction, induction, observation, reliability, detection and troubleshooting skills. The qualitative and quantitative data collected was next triangulated in order to lead to the desired result. The results confirmed the main research hypothesis, hence educational drama, as an innovative method, can enhance students' critical thinking in primary school.

143-150

Authors: Barış Çiftçi

As a result of scientific and technological developments reflection, improvements on education science moved from teacher centered to student and learning centered system. Learning concept is not only seen a at schools and some learning centers but in all areas and places of life. The aim of this study is to search the achievement and persistency of blended learning method at social studies lesson. With the empirical method used at research, the impact of independent variable examined on experimental group is blended learning method. The independent variable used at control group is face to face learning method. The impact of same dependent variable has been searched on experimental and control group. As a dependent variable the results of social studies academic success test has been searched. For the determined dependent variables, between groups assessment has been applied according to pre-test and post-test scores. The experimental application of the research has been applied to 52 students at 7th grade. 26 students take place from experimental group and 26 students take place from control group. According to the findings, no difference has been found between pre-test scores. According to post test and persistency test a significant difference has been appeared in favor of experimental group which is blended learning method. According to repeated measures analyses results between pre-test and post-test, and between post-test and persistency test; comparison of pre-test and post-test, both effect the student achievement. But according to impact results; the effect of blended learning is larger. According to post-test and persistency score results; it came out that for the persistency of knowledge blended learning is more effective than face to face learning. According to the results of persistency test and final application which is a comparison of blended learning and face to face learning, blended learning group is more effective than face to face learning group. While face to face learning group final application score lessen 12 points, blended learning group score lessen 8 points. It can be confessed that according to the persistency of student achievement, blended learning method is more effective than face to face learning method.

1-14

Authors: Lorraine A. Jacques

Problem solving follows a cycle of inquiry where the individual iterates between finding possible paths and exploring their likely effectiveness before selecting one as a possible solution. The cycle is enhanced through proximal processes because the number of paths that can be explored in depth are greater when more people work on the same problem. This paper discusses the cognitive aspects of problem solving, how proximal processes, specifically collaborations, affect problem solving, and how proximal processes work in formal and game problem solving environments. The primary finding is that proximal processes benefit problem solving mostly by providing explanations, but only when the collaboration is structured so that a lesser-skilled participant in the collaboration is explaining to a higher-skilled participant. This finding is common to both formal and game environments.

31-48

Authors: Davut Saritaş & Emin Tamer Yenen

In this study, it was aimed to determine the harmony and integration levels of the material prepared by the science teacher candidates with the methodical approach they adopted. In this case study, the data was obtained from observations of material practices and documents introducing the materials. In the study of 41 teaching materials prepared by 3rd grade teacher candidates prepared at different levels considering the achievements of the Science curriculum, the data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, content analysis and the “methodological approach-material integration level” rubric developed by the researchers. In the findings it was determined that although teacher candidates design materials in three different categories in accordance with three different teaching approaches of science (discovery learning; inductive reflective materials, expository teaching; direct reflective materials, research method; multiple systematic reflective materials), they mostly use materials with inappropriate methodological approaches and low level of integration during the application process.

67-76

Authors: Margarita Koleva

In the Bulgarian public space social distances and stereotypes regarding the Roma ethnicity are still difficult to overcome. This process’ impact on the social development of the Roma child is an indisputable fact that has negative social implications when the child joins the school community. Predicting and overcoming these consequences implies conceptual researches amongst basic and innovative resources of teaching practice. The educational environment and its components have a social supporting effect in view of the permanent processes of social development of the child from the Roma ethnic group. There is no doubt that the teacher and the children from the class community have a stimulating role in this process.