Social science teachers problems about student oriented methods which they used for teaching history

Social Science Teachers? Problems about Student Oriented Methods Which They Used for Teaching HistoryWith made changes of curriculums and textbooks of Social studies and Turkish Republic Revolution History and Kemalism courses in elementary school level in 2005, it was aimed to use the student-centred methods. These courses were restructured in the way to help students for achieving their social existence and to be a life time learning lesson. With these changes, it was aimed to grow up the children who are socially active, responsible and have the information and features which the new era requires. The students? improvement in terms of their traditions and their health and happiness were also included in desired targets.In this study, social studies teachers? problems about student-centred methods which they used for teaching historical topics were investigated. In accordance with the purpose of the study, qualitative methods were used for data collection and data analysis. As research model, multiple-case study design was used. The study was performed with 18 social science teachers who worked in 14 primary schools in Çanakkale city center and its districts and villages for 2010-2011 education year. ?Interview? and ?Observation? were used as data collection technique.The purpose of the study is to investigate the problems faced by social science teachers about student-centred methods which they used for teaching Social studies and Turkish Republic Revolution History and Kemalism courses.According to the results of study, it was observed that teachers were using largly traditional methods for teaching Social studies and Turkish Republic Revolution History and Kemalism courses. Although the student-centred methods and techniques were recommended by official curriculum, they generally did not use those methods and techniques because of various reasons and difficulties. Crowdedness of the classes, inadequate school conditions and insufficient time for lesson issues are some of these reasons. Teachers face with some others problems such as ?insufficient interest, ability and motivations of students? and ?the insufficient existence of required information and visual contents in books?.Keywords: Teaching Methods, Elementary Education, Student-centred Learning, Social Studies Education, History education.