Developing financial literacy skills with mathematical modelling activities in social studies course

Researchers interested in the discipline of economics try to explain how the limited material resources in the world can be used with the highest benefit. The discipline of economics, which tries to raise awareness of the conscious use of material resources in people, is increasing its importance day by day. The awareness or perspective about the subjects in economics that are tried to be created in people has been reflected in education systems as a financial literacy skill. Economic institutions such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and central banks state that knowledge and skills related to the economy are becoming more and more important each day, and they are working on the need to integrate economics subjects and financial literacy skills into education systems. Therefore, it has become critical for the future of humanity to raise people's awareness of the subjects in economics and gain the necessary skills through the education system. Subjects in economics are covered in different levels and courses (social studies, mathematics, etc.) with a variety of perspectives in schools. The discipline of economics has taken its place as a financial literacy skill in the Social Studies Course Curriculum. Within this context, the purpose of this study, which was planned and prepared according to an interdisciplinary approach, is to examine the suitability of mathematical modelling activities prepared for the development of financial literacy skills in social studies courses. In the research, the mixed method, which allows the researcher to use both qualitative and quantitative data and analyze a situation from different angles, was used. The study group of the research consists of 127 students, 61 girls and 66 boys, studying in two different schools in Esenler and Ümraniye districts of İstanbul. 30 students' parents voluntarily participated in the evaluation of the research process. Mathematical modelling activities developed and used by the researcher, financial literacy achievement test, verbal and visual expression form, student interview form and parent interview form were used as data collection tools while conducting the research. Quantitative data obtained during the study were analyzed by using a two-way ANOVA test, and qualitative data were analyzed by using content analysis. As a result of the research, considering the change in pretest-posttest financial literacy achievement test scores, it has been found that mathematical modelling activities in the social studies courses contribute a lot to the development of financial literacy skills. Moreover, in the interviews, it has been determined that the applied mathematical modelling activities were found beneficial by the students and parents. Lastly, it has been seen that the problems created in the prepared activities attract the attention of the students to the extent that they include the events that the students may encounter in their daily life.