Evaulation of the relation between history teacher types and teachers' conceptions about history

This research aims at evaluating the relation between history teacher types and teachers? conceptions about history. In this research, we searched history teachers? conceptions of history, teaching styles, background factors that may have an influence on development of teacher conceptions, and the effects of teachers? concep¬tions on student beliefs.In this research, the mixed method employing both the qualitative and the quantitative research methods was used. This research was performed in two different parts. First, we tried to determine the teachers? views concerning history teacher typologies. In the second part of the research, we interviewed with each teachers who representing all history teachers? types and with students of these teachers.The quantitative dimension of the research is practised in survey model. In this step we developed History Teachers Views Concerning History Teacher Types Scale based on the research of Evans (1994) to use in this research. After being applied the pilot study, which being developed by giving opinions of experts, to 80 history teachers, we gave last shape of the scale. The data being obtained by the application of the scale to 239 history teachers was analyzed with SPSS 15.0 packaged software by using percentage, frequence, means with single-sided variance (ANOVA).For qualitative dimension of the research, we used interview method to determine history teachers? views about what history is, purposes of history teaching, teaching styles in history lessons, patterns in history, historical generalizations. The data being obtained from the interviews was analyzed by descriptive analysis method.When the descriptive datas concerning with history teachers? typologies was analyzed, it is found that the biggest group consists of Eclectics (%34,3) and the smallest group consists of Cosmics (%2,1). Thus, it can be said that almost 1/3 of the history teachers participating in this research are Eclectics, almost 1/3 of the history teachers are Relativist-Reformers and almost 1/3 of the history teachers are Scientific Historians.During the interviews with the students of these teachers representing five typologies of history teachers it is seen that the students reflect the opinions of their teachers about what history is, purpose of history education and teaching styles in history education. Moreover, when students? opinions about teaching styles in history education is examined it is found that history teachers do not typically use student-centered teaching techniques.In this study, some guidelines related with education of history teachers, individual development of history teachers and with researches would be done in the future about history education at schools are offered in the light of these findings.Key Words: History Education, Secondary Education, History Teacher Type, Teachers? Conceptions about History.