Tuğba YANPAR YELKEN; F. Ayşe BALCI
Description:
The purpose of this study is to determine the opinions of teachers concerning the values in social studies curriculum and values education. The research was conducted with the participation of 152 social studies and classroom teachers from 24 schools in 2006-2007 instruction year in Mersin. Teachers were asked to state their views about the significance of the values included in social studies curriculum, effectiveness of the methods followed during value teaching, relevant courses for values education, difficulties experienced, source of problems, and solutions to problems in values education process. As a result, stated very important and important all of the values specified in the program of social studies. Being fair, peace, honesty and respect for the feelings and thoughts of these values are in the first place in order of severity. the teachers stated the democratic values as the most vital ones. According to views of the teachers social studies has been stated as the most relevant course and guidance and psychological counseling as the most relevant intermediate course in the program and case study as the most effective method in teaching values. Teachers perceived “social, cultural and economic features of the family” as the most significant problem source. Finally the idea of “teacher should make the child feel herself/himself valuable” has been proposed by the teachers as a vital solution.According to the findings teachers have found very important and important all of the values specified in the program of social studies. Being fair, peace, honesty and respect for the feelings and thoughts of these values are in the first place in order of severity.