Teaching local history using social studies models for Turkish middle school students

Abstract

Local history teaching provides students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience by improving awareness of history. Students having active communication with their neighbourhood are given the opportunity to learn about themselves and their past, words and concepts about the past and they can make easier connection between history and other disciplines. The students perceive differences in approaching information presented to them in a positive way with pluralistic perspective. In this study, the effects of local history teaching with the model in social studies on students’ awareness about local history has been determined. Case study design in the context of qualitative research approach was used in the research. The research took place in a middle school in the Northen west part of Turkey. Research was endured for two weeks and 20 students were asked open-ended questions covering the research process. It has been observed that local history teaching with models in social studies creates a positive outlook towards the history and local history points gain awareness for students. In addition, it contributes to the development of historical empathy ability of students as they are able to recognize the place they live in, more closely. Key words: Social A±ssues, local history, model, historical empathy