Experiences of social study teachers with the method of oral history

In this study, it is aimed to determine the perspectives of social studies teacher candidates who have experienced the oral history method within the scope of Historical Evidence in Social Studies Teaching, Local and Oral History course, and to examine their views on the method in a versatile way. This research, which was carried out using basic qualitative research, one of the qualitative research designs, was conducted with 12 social studies teacher candidates, 9 girls and 3 boys, who took the course of Historical Evidence in Social Studies Teaching, Local and Oral History at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Faculty of Education in the 2021-2022 academic year. has been carried out. Criterion sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used in the selection of the study group. A semi-structured interview form was used as a data collection tool in the research. The data were analyzed by content analysis and descriptive analysis methods. The opinions of the prospective teachers were given with direct quotations and the findings were interpreted. As a result of the research, it was found out that prospective social studies teachers developed different metaphors about oral history, they understood the concept of oral history with the words they said, none of the prospective teachers, except for one, had done oral history study before, that the oral history method would contribute positively to the learning and teaching process. They explained that it will help the development of communication and empathy skills, the difference from other methods used is that it is student-centered and done outside the school (class), and that they felt happy and excited while doing the study, that they had the most difficulty during the interview and while preparing the questions, doing the study with a group, writing a report. It was also found out that they made suggestions such as removing the stage of presentation, allocating more time to the presentation stage, and that the prospective teachers expressed their views on the continuation of the use of the oral history method. Keywords: Social Studies, Oral History, Prospective Teachers