The effect of value-oriented activities applied in the 7th grade social science studies lesson on understanding of social problems

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of value-oriented activities applied in social studies lesson on understanding of social problems. In the study, the mixed method in which qualitative and quantitative methods are used together was preferred. In the quantitative dimension of the study, a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest control group was used. Data collection tools were prepared in accordance with the qualitative method. The study group of the research consists of 96 students attending the seventh grade of a state secondary school located in Gemlik district of Bursa province in the 2019-2020 academic year. The study was carried out with two experimental groups (n=47) and two control groups (n=49). The activities which are value-oriented and are prepared for teaching social problems were applied to the experimental group students for four weeks. In this period of time, no intervention was made for the training of the control group. In the study, "Social Problems Question Form", "Problem Tree Diagram" and "Social Change and Values Question Form" which were prepared in accordance with qualitative data collection tools were applied to the experimental group and control group students before and after the application. The obtained data were subjected to content analysis. As a result of the analyzes made on the causes of social problems, their effects on society, their solutions and their relationship with values, it was seen that while the expressions of the experimental group and control group students were similar before the application, the expressions of the experimental group students after the application were considerably enriched and diversified compared to the expressions of the control group students. In addition, while there was a significant difference in the percentages of change in the expressions of the students in the experimental group before and after the application, it was determined that this difference was not significant in the control group.