Effect of creative drama method on students' attitude towards social studies, academic achi̇evement and retention by learning styles

This research is conducted with the purpose of revealing the effects of creative drama method used as an instructional method in "İyi ki Var" (Lucky to have it) unit in social studies subject at 4th grade of Primary school, according to students' learning styles on their attitudes towards social studies, academic achievement and retention, to gather students opinions on the process at the end of the process. The research is an semi-experimental study collecting written opinions from the students at the end of the process, renders it a qualitative study. The fourth grade students attending at the primary schools governed by the Ministry of National Education in the province of Adana in 2014-2015 education year, constitute the population of the research. The study group of the research consists of the fourth grade students from a public school in the Yüreğir district of Adana province where is the population of the research. Two classes were selected as experiment and two classes were selected as control groups out of the total fourth grade classes at the school by random sampling method. There are 42 students in experiment group and 39 students in control group. Total amount 81 students consist of the study group of the research. "Marmara Learning Styles Scale" was used for identifying learning styles of students; "Attitude Towards Social Studies Scale" was used for identifying the students' attitude towards social studies; "Achievement Test" was used for determining the academic achievement and written opinions were collected from the students for the purpose of gathering their opinions. Frequencies and percentile values of general learning style preferences of experiment and control groups were constituted. Covariance analysis was carried out on the data gathered from pre and post measure. Content analysis was performed on the written opinion data. As a result of this study the students prefer quiet environment, low light, moderate or cool environment, sitting upright in environmental dimension; high motivation, assuming responsibility, being patient and determined, needing clear instructions in emotional dimension; studying alone, with an adult or parent, using similar methods in sociological dimension; visual learning, eating snacks while studying, afternoon studying and sitting without moving in physiological dimension. The research results show that by the learning style preferences, the creative drama method is effective on the students' attitude towards social studies by low light, moderate or cool environment, sitting upright and comfortably, assuming responsibility, should be reminded of responsibilities, patient and determined, does not require instruction, requires instructions, with an adult or parent, prefers similar methods, to sit without moving, requires movement preferences; is effective on academic achievement by low light, bright light, moderate or cool environment, warm environment, sitting upright, assuming responsibility, should be reminded of responsibilities, patient and determined, impatient and indecisive, does not require instruction, requires instructions, with an adult or parent, teacher, prefers similar methods, prefers varying methods, to sit without moving, requires movement preferences; is effective on retention by bright light preference. The findings on the written opinion show that the positive attitudes of the students towards the social studies subject by creative drama method improved by the creative drama is effective on their learning, it created positive emotions, an understanding on the creative drama concept was developed and an awareness on the notions used in communication and interaction was created. Keywords: Creative drama, learning styles, social studies, academic achievement, attitude towards social studies, retention