A qualitative analysis on teachers? opinions concerning primary school fourth and fifth grades social studies program (The case of Ankara Province)

The aim of this qualitative study is to analyse opinions of teachersregarding new social studies program in the fourth and fifth grades. This study isbased on data gathered from 45 social studies teachers working at 11 schools locatedin central Ankara and its towns. The data were collected through face-to-faceinterviews which contain 26 open-ended questions. Descriptive and contentanalytical framework was employed for analysis of the interviews.New social studies program was generally evaluated as positive by theteachers since it encourages students to participate actively in class. However,teachers complained that there were too much game-related activities in class and asa result, they lost some of their authority in class activities. At the same time, theteachers stated that there was also the problem of time-management. Anotherproblem was related to the evaluation system. It was considered as too complex. Itwas not in harmony with the education system either. The participants stated that dueto these reasons they could not fully implement the evaluation system. Anotherfinding of this study is that there can be different implementations of the programbecause of teacher or location of school. The schools in higher level socio-economicregions experience less difficulty in implementing the program compared to those inlower level socio-economic regions. The participants recommended following inorder to solve the implementation problems: There can be group presentations;number of students in class must be reduced; evaluation system must be in harmonywith the education system. Meanwhile, it was found interesting that someparticipants who did not have enough information about the new program continuedto use the former teacher-centered program instead.The main idea of the new program is to learn not for school, but for life. Inorder to realize this idea, the examination system must be changed in accordancewith the program. In addition, teachers must be informed about not just activities, butalso about methods and techniques for improving higher mental abilities.In order to implement the program in accordance with its aim, thenecessary adaptations to specific learning situations of each school can be providedby program development departments. In addition, there must be a maximum of 25students in each class. In addition it should be added that the level of knowledge ofteachers about the new program can be increased through in-service training. Alsothe philosophy of constructive approach must be addressed.