Examination of innovative thinking skills according to the views of pre-service social studies teacher

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to examine the innovative thinking skills according to the view of the pre-service social studies teachers. In this direction pre-service teacher definitions of innovation, characteristics of innovation, categories, reasons for teaching innovation, factors affecting innovation, environmental factors, their roles in social group, problem solving methods, references and new methods, ideas and quests were discussed. Method: Qualitative research method was used to determine the view of the pre-service social studies teachers about innovative thinking skills. In this direction, the data obtained by using semi-structured interview technique was interpreted with the content analysis. Study Group: In the research, purposeful sampling and criterion sampling methods were used to determine the study group. The study group of our research consists of 24 volunteer teacher candidates, 13 females and 11 males, who are studying in Department of Turkish and Social Sciences Education, Education Faculty, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University. Conclusion: In this research, it is seen that the pre-service social studies teachers define innovation, innovation is necessary in education and they are open to innovation and have adopted innovation. According to the innovation categories, pre-service social studies teachers have the characteristics of innovation. They analyze different perspectives in problem solving with alternative approaches and innovative thinking skills. Many types of written, virtual, oral expression and experts have been used in innovative thinking. Keywords: Innovation, Innovative Thinking, Skill, 21st Century Skills, Social Studies, Pre-Service Teachers