Content analysis of elementary school social studies books based on Webster's wisdom theory (Individual empowerment in dealing with coronavirus crisis)

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the content of elementary school social studies textbooks based on Webster's wisdom theory in order to assess students' readiness to face with the world affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This research was fundamental in terms of purpose and descriptive in terms of nature. The statistical population included third to sixth grade social studies textbooks. In order to collect data, the Census method was used. The unit of analysis was the pages (text, chapter titles, image, questions or activities). The research tool included a checklist based on the five dimensions of Webster's theory (2007). Findings showed that in designing social studies books, only the dimension of openness to experience has been considered enough; While the dimension of humor and reviewing memories and reflection has been neglected in almost all grades, and emotional regulation has not received much attention in other grades except in the third grade. Attention to the dimension of challenging experiences was appropriate at other levels except the fourth grade. Shannon entropy represented a high information load for all dimensions and special attention to the components of memory review and reflection, emotional regulation and challenging experiences. The results of the research showed that filling the gap between the elementary grades in terms of wisdom dimensions and designing the content of books in order to cultivate wise, innovative and empathetic students to live in the current turbulent world is a great mission for educational institutions that it has been neglected somewhat.