The effect of social science instruction based on active learning method toward democratic attitudes and achievement

The aim of this study, the effect of Active Learning techniques on the development of democratic attitudes and on the achievement level of the students were examined during Social Science Instruction.This research pre-test and post-test with control group was used. This research was conducted in the second term of 2007/2008 educational year with two sixth graders in Buca Akşemsettin Primary School in Social Science lesson's of the unit "The Adventure of Democracy?.The study lasted five weeks. Akşemsettim Primary School's a sixth class students were the control group of the research and a sixth class students were the experiment group of the reearch. While the lessons in control group were lectured with the lesson book which were given by MEB and experimet group were lectured with the lesson book which were prepared by researcher. The lesson book?s name was ?The Adventure of Democracy Student?s Book?.In this study, Knowledge Achievement Test and Democratic Attitude Scale were prepared by the researcher.The mean and standart deviation scores were gathered from the two groups and t- test statistical method was used to determine the difference between the groups. The data was analized by SPSS 11.0 package program. The degree of meaningfully is accepted 0.5.The results of the study demonstrate statistically significant the experiment group?s students in the "Tolarence" and ?Compromise? dimension and the total scores of the "Democratic Attitude Scale". In addition to The active learning techniques increase the students? achievement.