Investigation of the Historical Curiosity of High School Students Studying in Different Types of Schools

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine the history curiosity of high school students studying in different types of schools. History curiosity was analyzed using qualitative research methods. Data was collected by applying an interview form consisting of six questions to the students, and the answers were coded using the descriptive analysis method, matched with the relevant themes and tabulated. Students who are within the borders of Mersin Province Erdemli District and studying in five different high school types in the 2022/2023 academic year constitute the sample of the research. According to the results of the research, high school students are generally intensely curious about the leading characters (sultans, kings, emperors and state administrators), the lives of the leading characters and the places where the events take place, especially the wars. The historical events they are most curious about are related to the historical people and characters they are curious about. High school students are most curious about military events, wars related to these events, and political history. Göbeklitepe took the first place in the historical places that high school students are most curious about. In addition, Hagia Sophia, Çanakkale, Topkapı Palace, Pyramids and many other historical places have also been a matter of curiosity. When it came to the historical periods, we can say that the ones students are most curious about are related to historical characters and historical events. It is seen that the historical periods that the high school students included in the research sample are most curious about are the historical periods related to the Ottoman Empire, the Middle Ages and the Foundation of the Republic of Türkiye. When it comes to the subject of historical TV series, it has been determined that historical TV series, which are about history and describe a period of history, have an important role in the history curiosity of high school students included in the research sample. Finally, the students involved in the study stated that they were curious about the accuracy of the textbooks, ancient inventions and technologies, the life of ancient people and wars in history.