Abstract
The objective of this study is to identify whether there is a statistically significant difference in secondary school students' attitudes toward the geography course on the basis of certain variables. The sample of the study was composed of a total of 899 students including 509 female students and 390 male students. The data were obtained through the 'Personal Information Form' which was created by the researcher and the 'Attitude Scale'. The findings demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference in the attitude scores on the basis of the variables of 'age', 'class year', 'participation in geography field trips', 'satisfaction with teacher's use of student-centered active teaching in the course', 'playing orienteering game', 'use of social media', 'establishing relationship between media and geography' and 'establishing relationship between daily life and geography'. In conclusion, it was found that, in general, the secondary school students had moderately positive attitudes toward the geography course. It may be asserted that the female and male students developed similar attitudes towards the geography course. In addition to this, in this study, it was found that participation in geography trips positively affected the participants' desire to learn. Moreover, it was observed that the students who established a relationship between geography and daily life had a more positive attitude towards the geography course. Furthermore, the students who could establish a relationship between media and geography showed a much more positive attitude towards the geography course. It was determined that the secondary school students who were able to associate movies, TV series, news and game shows with geography had more positive attitudes towards the geography course.
Highlights
Climates, landforms, plant cover, the human settings, space inhabited by human beings and several other topics are addressed within the scope of the geography course
It was observed that the students who established a relationship between geography and daily life had a more positive attitude towards the geography course
It was determined that the secondary school students who could associate movies, TV series, news and game shows with geography had more positive attitudes towards the geography course
Summary
Landforms, plant cover, the human settings, space inhabited by human beings and several other topics are addressed within the scope of the geography course. The geography course helps raise people as sensitive human beings by informing them about the causes and effects of physical, anthropic, economic and political events taking place across the world [4]. Instruction of the geography course enables students to develop the sense of responsibility assumed consciously for development of their country and tempts them to get acquainted with their world and country [5]. The Geography Course Curriculum implemented at secondary schools in Turkey aims to empower students to achieve in a planned manner in acquiring information and skills referred to in the program. It is asserted that ‘geographic information technologies’ will be one of the three most needed tools in decision-making processes in the
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