Do alternative methods affect academic success? The importance of using poetry in education.

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of educational games on students' academic achievement, attitudes towards the course and cooperative learning skills. Semi-experimental research design with pretest posttest control group was used. The study group consisted of 60 students at 5th grade secondary school. In this process, the topics identified were reinforced by educational games in experimental group and control group were strengthened by traditional methods for 6 weeks. Research data were collected by using Social Studies Course Attitude Scale (Cronbach Alpha=0.61), Cooperative Learning Scale (α=0.80) and Social Studies Course Academic Achievement Scale (kr-20=0.78). The mean, standard deviation, and Anova analyses were performed As a result: Social Studies Education reinforced by gamification contributes significantly more to students ' attitudes towards social studies course than traditional method. However, it was determined that it did not contribute significantly to the benefit factor. Social studies education, which is reinforced by educational games, contributes significantly more to students ' cooperative learning skills than the traditional method. Social studies education, which is reinforced by educational games, contributes significantly more to students ' academic achievement towards social studies course than the traditional method.

This research addresses the problem of students’ low interest in social studies, which is often perceived as overly theoretical, monotonous, and lacking relevance to everyday life. These perceptions contribute to low motivation and limited student participation during learning activities. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of integrating an operant conditioning approach into social studies learning to improve academic achievement. The study employed a quasi-experimental method with a pretest-posttest control group design, involving two junior high school classes. The experimental group received treatment through the application of reward and punishment strategies based on operant conditioning principles, while the control group underwent conventional instruction. Results showed a significant increase in academic achievement in the experimental group compared to the control group. These findings indicate that reinforcement-based learning can effectively enhance students' motivation and academic performance in social studies. The implication of this study highlights the value of incorporating psychological approaches into teaching strategies. Applying operant conditioning can help teachers create a more conducive and engaging learning environment, encouraging student participation and supporting better learning outcomes. Therefore, behaviorist strategies, particularly reinforcement, are recommended as a practical approach to address motivational issues in social studies education.

This study examines the impact of the Picture and Picture learning model on student engagement and academic performance in Social Studies among Grade IV students at SD Inpres Paccinongan, Gowa Regency. Low student engagement in the learning process and suboptimal academic performance are key issues faced in primary education. This study used a quasi-experimental design with a Nonequivalent Control Group methodology. The study population consisted of Grade IV students from two classes, with a total sample of 48 students selected using random sampling techniques. Data were collected through observations and tests, then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The results indicated that the Picture and Picture learning model had a significant positive effect on student engagement and academic performance. The significance values for student activity (p = 0.040) and learning outcomes (p = 0.016) were both below the standard alpha level of 0.05, indicating the effectiveness of this model in enhancing student engagement and their academic results. These findings provide evidence that the application of a visual-based learning model, such as Picture and Picture, can be an effective solution to address low student engagement and learning outcomes in Social Studies education at the primary school level. The adoption of this learning paradigm is recommended to be expanded in Social Studies education at primary schools to improve the overall quality of education and academic performance of students.

Background/Context The field of social studies education is hardly lacking in historical investigation. The historiography includes sweeping chronicles of longtime struggles over the curriculum as well as case studies of momentous eras, events, policies, trends, and people, with emphases on aims, subject matter, method, and much more. Curiously, scant attention has been paid to the history of social studies teacher education. This study fills a gap in the literature by considering what effect, if any, teacher education in the social studies has had on the development of the field over time. Specifically, the study focuses on history/social studies teacher education in the decades immediately preceding and following the National Education Association's landmark report, The Social Studies in Secondary Education, which commonly is credited with establishing social studies as a school subject. Purpose A basic premise underlying this study is that stability and change in social studies curriculum and instruction may be someway related to stability and change in social studies teacher education. Because the enterprise of social studies teacher education exists in large part for the sake of supporting the enterprise of social studies in the schools, changes in social studies in the schools may well affect the preparation of teachers to teach the subject, and changes in social studies teacher preparation may well affect the teaching of the subject in schools. This study interrogates how teacher education programs contributed and/or responded (or not) to the emergence of social studies as a school subject in the early part of the twentieth century. Research Design This document-based historical study looks back nearly a century to the origins of the social studies field and considers the interrelationship between social studies as it was envisioned in the schools and social studies as it was configured in teacher education programs. The study is based on published monographs, reports, and articles on the status of history (pre-1916) and social studies (post-1916) teacher preparation programs that largely have been overlooked by social studies historians to date. Findings/Conclusions The story that emerges reinforces some longstanding assumptions about the development of the field: For example, there was little agreement among subject matter and education specialists regarding what constituted the social studies curriculum, so there was little agreement on what social studies teachers and students needed to know. But, it also suggests that disarray in the social studies field may have been as much a function of disorder in the realm of teacher education as it was of conflict among curriculum-makers about the nature of social studies in the schools.

The study investigated the Effect of Brainstorming Learning Strategy on Junior Secondary School Students’ Academic Achievement in Social Studies in Yola Educational Zone, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design, non-randomized pre-test, post-test control group comprising two groups made up of one experimental group and a control group. Four schools and two hundred and three (203) JS II Social Studies Students made up the sample for the study. Four intact classes (two each) were randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups. The instrument used for data collection in this study was tagged “Social Studies Achievement Test” (SSAT), constructed by the researcher but patterned in line with BECE test items in Social Studies. The validity of this instrument was established by two experts in counseling psychology and test and measurement. The reliability of the instrument was established using Guttmann’s Split-Half statistic; which yielded a reliability index of 0.72. Independent samples t-Test and chi-square analysis of data revealed that there was a significant difference in the mean score of students taught social studies using brainstorming learning strategy and lecture method. There was a statistically significant difference in the retention rate of students taught social studies using brainstorming learning strategy and lecture method. There was no significant effect of gender on the academic achievement of students taught social studies using brainstorming learning strategy. Based on the findings, it was recommended that social studies teachers should incorporate brainstorming learning strategy with other instructional approaches in lesson delivery in order to improve students’ ability in learning and understanding social studies in junior secondary schools.

Students’ academic achievement in Social Studies, particularly on the theme of cultural richness, remains low. This condition is influenced by teaching methods and models that do not sufficiently engage students or support deep conceptual understanding. This study aims to implement concept-based learning to improve students’ academic performance through an effective instructional model. The research is a classroom action research conducted in two cycles. Each cycle consists of planning, implementation, observation, and reflection phases. The study involved 25 fifth-grade students of SDN 08 Batubara as research subjects. Data were collected through learning achievement tests, classroom observations, and data analysis.The results show that the application of concept-based learning positively impacted students’ achievement in Social Studies. The initial percentage of students who achieved mastery learning was 48%, which increased to 72% in the first cycle and further improved to 88% in the second cycle. Additionally, student engagement in the learning process also increased, as evidenced by activities such as classifying concepts, participating in discussions, and drawing conclusions independently. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the Concept Learning model is effective for use in Social Studies instruction, especially in themes that require conceptual mastery, such as cultural diversity. This model also promotes more meaningful and active learning.

Purpose: The main purpose of this research is to determine the effect of the quantum learning model in social studies course on students' academic achievements. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using the mixed research method with an embedded design, the participants of this research consist of 5th-grade students and their social studies teacher studying in a public middle-school in Türkiye’s Van province in the spring term of the 2023-2024. The research data was collected through academic achievement tests, semi-structured interview forms, unstructured observations, and researcher's diary. Statistical analysis of the research data utilized t-tests and covariance analysis for independent samples, while content analysis was employed for qualitative data analysis. Results: The research concluded that the quantum learning model contributed to enhancing students' academic achievements. Both the social studies teacher and students involved in the research acknowledged the various benefits of the quantum learning model in social studies education. The results have led to recommendations for practice and further research. Highlights: Examining the alternative approaches aimed at improving students' academic achievement in social studies is important in terms of research in the field of education. In this context, scientific research examining the effect of the quantum learning model on student achievement can contribute to the field.

PurposeThe majority of states and school systems within the USA have implemented the Common Core State Standards, but with this implementation and focus on language arts and mathematics, many believe that social studies education has lagged. The purpose of this paper is to investigate preservice teachers’ social studies self-efficacy, experiences, and beliefs. Participants were preservice teachers in a required education course. During this course, preservice teachers were required to complete a 20-hour practicum within a school. Participants completed a teacher social studies self-efficacy scale, as well as a reflection questionnaire and course discussions. Results showed that preservice teachers reported that they did not have social studies experiences within the practicum. Implications of this study support preservice teachers having additional social studies education and C3 Framework mastery experiences.Design/methodology/approachWith regard to the teacher’s sense of efficacy scale, descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations) were calculated. Following qualitative tradition (Glaser and Strauss, 1967; Miles and Huberman, 1994), the author used a constant comparative method to code the reflection questionnaire and group discussions. This included calculating answers and coding themes across the sources. These data gleaned insight into the participants’ experiences within the course and practicum regarding the domain of social studies education.FindingsTo answer research question 1, means and standard deviations were calculated. Using the social studies teacher’s sense of efficacy scale, participants reported M=6.4, SD=1.25. Research question 2 concerned whether or not participants were given a mastery experience (practicum/tutoring) in social studies. Moreover, if they were not given such an experience, in what domain did they work? Results indicated that a few participants (19 percent) stated that they had an opportunity to tutor in social studies. Most reported that the majority of their tutoring is in reading (58 percent) or mathematics (24 percent).Research limitations/implicationsThe findings from this study inform social studies research as it focuses on teacher social studies self-efficacy and mastery experiences within a practicum. First, preservice teachers in this study had relatively low self-efficacy beliefs in the domain of social studies. Second, the participants had very few mastery experiences in social studies. Finally, preservice teachers seem to feel that they will enjoy teaching social studies, and they did learn social studies within their schools.Practical implicationsTeacher educators are constrained in the time that they have to impart knowledge, pedagogy, and efficacy beliefs on preservice teachers. While evolving legislative mandates are at the forefront of many aspects of teaching, a teacher’s belief in his or her ability to teach may be what leads to perseverance in the classroom. Experiences within social studies classrooms and a use of the C3 Framework will help to highlight teachers’ and students’ growth within the domain of social studies. This study highlights the need for more mastery experiences in social studies as a way of strengthening new teachers’ content knowledge.Social implicationsThe future of social studies education within the classroom seems to be a dire situation. The consequence of the marginalization of social studies within the classroom is twofold. First, students to do have direct social studies instruction. Second, preservice teachers do not have an opportunity to observe or teach within this domain. As stated earlier, legislation is guiding classroom instruction. However, if teachers and schools are informed, social studies education does not have to disappear from student’s classroom time. School systems and teachers who have not yet done so should begin to consider using the C3 Framework.Originality/valueThe need to understand preservice teachers’ social studies self-efficacy beliefs is of importance given the constraints that they will most likely be facing once they enter the classroom. In other words, if preservice teachers are expected to teach children social studies, teacher educators should understand their learning of and beliefs about teaching in this domain. This study focused on preservice teachers’ self-efficacy and social studies beliefs. This study highlights the need for more mastery experiences in social studies as a way of strengthening new teachers’ content knowledge. Today, there are limitations wherein preservice teachers do not have many experiences with social studies. Future approaches should focus on offering more mastery experiences to preservice teachers.

This study explores the impact of Project-Based Learning (PjBL) on teaching social studies to primary school students, specifically focusing on its influence on critical thinking skills and learning outcomes. The research used a mixed-methods approach and employed proportional stratified sampling to select participants from five accredited public primary schools in Banyumas, Central Java. Quantitative data was collected through pre-tests and post-tests to measure students' performance before and after implementing PjBL. Additionally, qualitative insights were obtained from semi-structured interviews with teachers to understand their experiences and perceptions of PjBL. The findings demonstrate a statistically significant positive correlation between PjBL implementation and improving students' critical thinking skills and academic performance in social studies. Furthermore, teachers reported increased student engagement and a more profound understanding of social studies concepts. This research contributes to the existing knowledge of PjBL by providing empirical evidence of its effectiveness in primary education, particularly within social studies instruction. The findings offer practical strategies for educators who aim to use PjBL to enhance critical thinking and academic achievement among young learners.

This study aims to analyze the implementation of social studies learning as strengthening character education in elementary schools. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The research subjects were social studies teachers and sixth grade students at an elementary school in Manggarai Regency. The results of the study show that social studies teachers have implemented character education in social studies learning through various activities, such as discussions, questions and answers, presentations, and educational games. The implementation of character education is also seen in students' attitudes and behavior, such as discipline, self-confidence, and social awareness. The obstacles encountered in the implementation of character education are the teacher's lack of understanding of the concepts and goals of character education, limited learning time, and limited resources and facilities. The school is trying to overcome these obstacles, such as increasing teachers' understanding of character education, using technology in learning, and collaboration between schools and communities in strengthening character education in elementary schools. Keywords: Implementation, Social Studies Learning, Character education This study aims to analyze the implementation of social studies learning as strengthening character education in elementary schools. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The research subjects were social studies teachers and sixth grade students at an elementary school in Manggarai Regency. The results of the study show that social studies teachers have implemented character education in social studies learning through various activities, such as discussions, questions and answers, presentations, and educational games. The implementation of character education is also seen in students' attitudes and behavior, such as discipline, self-confidence, and social awareness. The obstacles encountered in the implementation of character education are the teacher's lack of understanding of the concepts and goals of character education, limited learning time, and limited resources and facilities. The school is trying to overcome these obstacles, such as increasing teachers' understanding of character education, using technology in learning, and collaboration between schools and communities in strengthening character education in elementary schools. Keywords: Implementation, Social Studies Learning, Character education This study aims to analyze the implementation of social studies learning as strengthening character education in elementary schools. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The research subjects were social studies teachers and sixth grade students at an elementary school in Manggarai Regency. The results of the study show that social studies teachers have implemented character education in social studies learning through various activities, such as discussions, questions and answers, presentations, and educational games. The implementation of character education is also seen in students' attitudes and behavior, such as discipline, self-confidence, and social awareness. The obstacles encountered in the implementation of character education are the teacher's lack of understanding of the concepts and goals of character education, limited learning time, and limited resources and facilities. The school is trying to overcome these obstacles, such as increasing teachers' understanding of character education, using technology in learning, and collaboration between schools and communities in strengthening character education in elementary schools. Keywords: Implementation, Social Studies Learning, Character education This study aims to analyze the implementation of social studies learning as strengthening character education in elementary schools. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The research subjects were social studies teachers and sixth grade students at an elementary school in Manggarai Regency. The results of the study show that social studies teachers have implemented character education in social studies learning through various activities, such as discussions, questions and answers, presentations, and educational games. The implementation of character education is also seen in students' attitudes and behavior, such as discipline, self-confidence, and social awareness. The obstacles encountered in the implementation of character education are the teacher's lack of understanding of the concepts and goals of character education, limited learning time, and limited resources and facilities. The school is trying to overcome these obstacles, such as increasing teachers' understanding of character education, using technology in learning, and collaboration between schools and communities in strengthening character education in elementary schools. Keywords: Implementation, Social Studies Learning, Character education This study aims to analyze the implementation of social studies learning as strengthening character education in elementary schools. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The research subjects were social studies teachers and sixth grade students at an elementary school in Manggarai Regency. The results of the study show that social studies teachers have implemented character education in social studies learning through various activities, such as discussions, questions and answers, presentations, and educational games. The implementation of character education is also seen in students' attitudes and behavior, such as discipline, self-confidence, and social awareness. The obstacles encountered in the implementation of character education are the teacher's lack of understanding of the concepts and goals of character education, limited learning time, and limited resources and facilities. The school is trying to overcome these obstacles, such as increasing teachers' understanding of character education, using technology in learning, and collaboration between schools and communities in strengthening character education in elementary schools. Keywords: Implementation, Social Studies Learning, Character education This study aims to analyze the implementation of social studies learning as strengthening character education in elementary schools. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The research subjects were social studies teachers and sixth grade students at an elementary school in Manggarai Regency. The results of the study show that social studies teachers have implemented character education in social studies learning through various activities, such as discussions, questions and answers, presentations, and educational games. The implementation of character education is also seen in students' attitudes and behavior, such as discipline, self-confidence, and social awareness. The obstacles encountered in the implementation of character education are the teacher's lack of understanding of the concepts and goals of character education, limited learning time, and limited resources and facilities. The school is trying to overcome these obstacles, such as increasing teachers' understanding of character education, using technology in learning, and collaboration between schools and communities in strengthening character education in elementary schools. Keywords: Implementation, Social Studies Learning, Character education This study aims to analyze the implementation of social studies learning as strengthening character education in elementary schools. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The research subjects were social studies teachers and sixth grade students at an elementary school in Manggarai Regency. The results of the study show that social studies teachers have implemented character education in social studies learning through various activities, such as discussions, questions and answers, presentations, and educational games. The implementation of character education is also seen in students' attitudes and behavior, such as discipline, self-confidence, and social awareness. The obstacles encountered in the implementation of character education are the teacher's lack of understanding of the concepts and goals of character education, limited learning time, and limited resources and facilities. The school is trying to overcome these obstacles, such as increasing teachers' understanding of character education, using technology in learning, and collaboration between schools and communities in strengthening character education in elementary schools.

This research investigated the possibility of improving upper basic students’ attention and academic performance in social studies in Benue State, Nigeria using Prior-Conception, Exploration, Discussion, Dissatisfaction and Application (PEDDA) and Invitation, Exploration, Proposing-Explanation and Taking action (IEPT). The study adopted a pretest, posttest, control group, quasi-experimental research design. The instruments used for data collection were Social Studies Self-Confidence Scale (SSSCS) and Social Studies Performance Test (SSPT). Cronbach Alpha was used to ascertain the reliability index of SSSCS which gave reliability values of 0.86. Kuder-Richardson (KR-21) formula was used to test internal consistency of SSPT which yielded a reliability value of 0.92. The population was 11,656 Upper Basic Two students offering social studies in Benue State, Nigeria. A sample of 288 students (Male=158 and female=130) drawn from 9 schools within the 9 Local Government Areas (LGA) out of 23 LGA in the Benue State, Nigeria was selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The research questions were answered using Mean and Standard Deviation scores while the null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using results from Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The study revealed that there was significant difference in the mean self-confidence ratings of students taught social studies using PEDDA, IEPT strategy and discussion method [F2, 287=2146.076, P<0.05]. The study revealed that there was significant difference in the mean academic performance scores of students taught social studies using PEDDA strategy, IEPT strategy and discussion method [F2, 287=374.360, P<0.05]. It was recommended among others that to maximize self-confidence in social studies class, teachers’ trainee should be train on the application of PEDDA strategy and IEPT strategy and serving teachers should employ the use of PEDDA and IEPT strategies in teaching social studies. Social studies teachers are also encouraged to use PEDDA strategy in teaching to enhance students’ self-confidence and academic performance in social studies.

Social studies as a school subject was a Western invention of the twentieth century. It sought to move the school curriculum away from its elitist structures and create an interdisciplinary or issues-based curriculum relevant to the needs of students in a modern industrial society. There are elements of this approach to social studies education in South and South East Asian countries, but it is by no means the dominant approach. In these Asian contexts, social studies education is best seen as a post-colonial construction designed to support the nation building that was seen to be essential for newly independent countries. In places, globalisation has added a new dimension for the social studies but rarely does it replace nation-building approaches. Overlaying this approach is a strong commitment to religious and moral education that provides a distinctive difference from secularised forms of social education outside of the region.Social studies as a school subject was a Western invention of the twentieth century. It sought to move the school curriculum away from its elitist structures and create an interdisciplinary or issues-based curriculum relevant to the needs of students in a modern industrial society. There are elements of this approach to social studies education in South and South East Asian countries, but it is by no means the dominant approach. In these Asian contexts, social studies education is best seen as a post-colonial construction designed to support the nation building that was seen to be essential for newly independent countries. In places, globalisation has added a new dimension for the social studies but rarely does it replace nation-building approaches. Overlaying this approach is a strong commitment to religious and moral education that provides a distinctive difference from secularised forms of social education outside of the region.Social studies as a school subject was a Western invention of the twentieth century. It sought to move the school curriculum away from its elitist structures and create an interdisciplinary or issues-based curriculum relevant to the needs of students in a modern industrial society. There are elements of this approach to social studies education in South and South East Asian countries, but it is by no means the dominant approach. In these Asian contexts, social studies education is best seen as a post-colonial construction designed to support the nation building that was seen to be essential for newly independent countries. In places, globalisation has added a new dimension for the social studies but rarely does it replace nation-building approaches. Overlaying this approach is a strong commitment to religious and moral education that provides a distinctive difference from secularised forms of social education outside of the region.Social studies as a school subject was a Western invention of the twentieth century. It sought to move the school curriculum away from its elitist structures and create an interdisciplinary or issues-based curriculum relevant to the needs of students in a modern industrial society. There are elements of this approach to social studies education in South and South East Asian countries, but it is by no means the dominant approach. In these Asian contexts, social studies education is best seen as a post-colonial construction designed to support the nation building that was seen to be essential for newly independent countries. In places, globalisation has added a new dimension for the social studies but rarely does it replace nation-building approaches. Overlaying this approach is a strong commitment to religious and moral education that provides a distinctive difference from secularised forms of social education outside of the region.

SMP Negeri 31 Semarang is one of the schools that implements an inclusive education system, an education system that requires all children with disabilities to be served at the nearest school and in regular classes with their peers. Social studies subjects are one of the subjects that affect children with special needs in inclusive classes because they can help develop the potential of students to be sensitive and responsive to their environment. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method. The results of this study indicate that (1) The social studies learning process in the inclusion class includes planning, implementation and evaluation according to the needs and conditions of children with special needs in each inclusive class. 2) Problems encountered by social studies teachers in implementing the learning process in the inclusive class at SMP Negeri 31 Semarang: Social studies teachers do not have special abilities in dealing with children with special needs, and there is only one special tutor available. (3) Efforts in solving problems in the form of providing motivation and constructive messages for students and relying on special supervisors.
 SMP Negeri 31 Semarang is one of the public schools in Semarang City that is able to implement an inclusive education system. Inclusion schools require that all children with disabilities be served at the closest schools, in regular classes with their peers. Social studies subjects are one of the subjects that affect children with special needs in inclusive classes because they can basically help develop the potential of students to be sensitive and responsive to their environment and social problems that occur in society, especially for children with special needs. The objectives of this study were: (1) Describing the learning process in the inclusive class in the Social Studies subject at SMP Negeri 31 Semarang. (2) Exploring the problems encountered by social studies teachers in the learning process in the inclusion class in the Social Studies subjects at SMP Negeri 31 Semarang. ) Knowing the efforts made by social studies teachers in overcoming problems that occurred in the inclusion class of SMP Negeri 31 Semarang.
 The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques using observation, interviews and documentation. The location of this research is SMP Negeri 31 Semarang. The subjects of this study were school principals, social studies teachers and special supervisors. The validity test in this study used the triangluation of sources and techniques. The data analysis technique of this research uses the stages of data collection, data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions.
 The results of this study indicate that (1) The social studies learning process in the inclusion class uses different lesson plans to balance the needs of children with special needs. At the preliminary and concluding stages there are no special activities. The materials for the inclusion class are summarized into simpler terms, the models, methods and media used are adjusted. Learning sources for student textbooks, the internet and the environment, while special sources for children with special needs include piano, drums, computers, sewing machines and others. The evaluation is carried out by social studies teachers in different ways but still maintains the KKM set by the school, namely 70. (2) Problems encountered by social studies teachers in implementing the learning process in the inclusion class of SMP Negeri 31 Semarang: Social studies teachers do not have special abilities in dealing with children with special needs, limited learning media, and only one assessment and availability of special supervisors. (3) Efforts in solving problems in the form of providing motivation and constructive messages for students and relying on special supervisors.

A central focus of social studies education is to help students develop into informed and active citizens. Central to the practice of citizenship is the ability to engage in civic dialogue. Informed by the work of Kumashiro and Wolk, this chapter examines the role of critical literacy in moving social studies instruction beyond traditional, teacher-centered approaches to emphasize multiple and conflicting perspectives, inquiry skills, and civic discourse. In order to honor the multiple and conflicting perspectives present in any event, the use of critical literacy examines such questions as who is being represented? and who is speaking for whom? These questions serve to problematize American and Western-centric approaches to social studies education that serve to reinforce the hegemonic discourse too often evident in social studies classrooms to engage students in richer learning experiences and provide them with the skills and dispositions necessary to become active citizens.

The aim of this article is to analyze theoretically the need to improve Social Studies Education in Turkey in a pedagogical manner and on the basis of the intended contributions and goals of a New Social Studies Movement to the field. Social Studies Education is an important teaching discipline to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to operate efficiently in a knowledge society. The New Social Studies movement of 1960s in the USA contributed to the development of Social Studies Education. This movement tried to establish a constructivist approach. They emphasized on the importance of an inquiry based approach, and rich and real life situation in the classrooms and skills such as critical thinking, reflective thinking, cooperation and collaboration in Social Studies Education. However, the movement diminished in a short while due to the lack of research to support their theoretically sound ideas, appropriate teaching resources for teachers and students and ill-equipped teachers while their ideas were and still are gaining impetus in many countries in the world. Social Studies Education is relatively new in Turkey. Social Studies Education in Turkey has weaknesses in terms of both in theoretically and practically. The quality of teaching resources and materials and teacher qualifications are not up-to-standards to carry out a constructivist Social Studies Education. A new movement has started in Turkey to improve Social Studies Education. This new Social Studies movement aims to do research in the field on the area, print books and teaching resource for both teachers and students, develop policies, hold academic meetings, publish high quality journals for both academics and practitioners, to create opportunities and gateways for networking. This article critically argues the proposed contribution of the new Social Studies movement to the field in Turkey drawing upon the experiences of the movement of 1960s in the USA.