Teachers' and Student Teachers' Perceptions of Effective Teaching of Social Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ and
student teachers’ perceptions of the characteristics of effective social
studies teaching. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed
to give information on the participants’ perceptions of effective
teaching of social studies. The sample of the study included 54 student
teachers (those who have newly finished their teaching practice) and
172 social studies teachers (with different levels of experience). The
data were analysed with SPSS-X computer programme. The means,
percentages and standard deviations were used to analyze the various
items and the domains of the questionnaire. Also, one sample t-test
was used to examine the differences between the participants
perceptions. Although some statistically signficant differences (α
=0.05) were revealed, the results of the study emphasized that the
participants agreed bout the majority of the characteristics of effective
social studies teaching. The study concluded that effective social
studies teachers should have good relationships with their students.
Besides, they should employ various teaching and learning activities
for their teaching to be effective.