Current events in social studies education

Education and Teaching that prepare students to social life should be associated with the current events. Associating topics with the current events requires basing the activities on current events. The application of newly learned knowledge into real life occurs in this way.In this study, it is tried to be determined primary education 4th-7th grade students? state of using mass communication devices, their views about current events and their awareness level. With this aspect, as a descriptive survey, a case study was done by using qualitative and quantitative research techniques in this research.This study was carried out in primary schools from three different districts of Ankara sampling high-medium-low socioeconomic environments. In the quantitative dimension of this study, a questionnaire related to the subject was given to the students who were randomly chosen from 4th-7th grades. The obtained data were analyzed through SPSS 10.0 software program by using t-test, anova and correlation techniques. On the other hand, in the qualitative dimension of this study, standardized open-ended review technique was used to gather data. This review was done with four students who were randomly chosen from each class, those who completed the questionnaire.Obtained data revealed that there are differences in the level of using mass communication devices in terms of gender, socioeconomic level and grade level. In terms of gender, male students? level of using mass communication devices was found higher than females?. In terms of socioeconomic level, the level of using mass communication devices was found higher in students having high socioeconomic status in comparison with the students having low socioeconomic status. This difference was more significant especially in the use of internet. When it comes to the use of mass communication devices according to the grade levels, 5th grade students? level was found as the highest among all the grades. It was understood that students use TV the most among mass communication devices. It was seen that the level of using radio and internet was quite low.It is determined that students? awareness about current events shows differences in terms of gender, socioeconomic level and grade level. A significant difference was found in favor of high-socioeconomic level in terms of socioeconomic level; a significant difference was found in favor of 6th and 7th grade students in terms of grade levels. Students? awareness level showed differences in some areas in terms of gender variable. For instance, a significant difference related to the sports was found in favor of male students.The most important current events that primary school social studies students have considered are the events related to the political issues and also they have seen the politicians as the most important persons who are in the news. According to the students, drought is going to be the most important problem in the future.As a result, primary school social studies students do not use mass communication devices in an effective way, and they cannot make use of current events in social studies courses. It can also be said that social studies teachers? level of using materials related to the current events is quite low.Key Words: Social Studies, Current Events, Current Affairs, Mass Media.