Evaluation of the activities on the development of social emotional learning skills of the students: Mixed method research

In this research, the effects of activities for 2nd grade students on social emotional learning skills were investigated. And also, the teachers' opinions about importance of the concept of social emotional learning, which dimensions of social emotional learning skills are used, how they can integrate those skills to the current educational program, how the students evaluate their social skills and emotional management skills and who ares the target audience of the social emotional learning program were investigated. Study group of the research; it is comprised of 20 teachers and 16 students who are 2nd grade of an institution affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Sakarya. In this study, both quantitative and qualitative studies were applied and mixed method was used. In this direction, the descriptive survey model, which is one of the qualitative methods, and experimental model from quantitative methods are used together. In the study, 20-item Social Emotional Learning Scale adapted to Turkish by Akın and Arslan (2013) was used. It was found that the pre-test results of the research did not show any difference in social emotional learning skills of male and female students. According to the findings obtained after the pre-test-post-test analysis, it was found that the process of students' participation in this subject was beneficial. Considering the mean and sum of the difference scores, it is observed that the difference score is in favor of the positive order and the measurement of children's social emotional learning skills are increased after the activity period. In addition, it was found that job description skills, peer relations skills and self-regulation skills increased significantly. Interview technique, which is one of the qualitative research methods, was used in interviews with teachers. A semi-structured interview form was formed in the study. Interview forms were finalized with the help of expert opinions. Primary school 1st and 2nd grade teachers were asked questions that are fit for purpose. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed by descriptive analysis method. Research results based on interviews are: 1- Social emotional learning is important for the development of personality, the well-training of the individual and for being an individual compatible with the environment and society. 2 - Responsible decision-making, problem-solving, relationship skills are the most targeted of the five dimensions of social emotional learning. 3 - In order to participate in the current training program of social emotional learning, activities should be included and the related gains should be increased. 4- Teachers evaluate the development of social emotional learning skills by observing. 5- The target audience of social emotional learning is thought to be all students.