Open AccessThe Evaluation of the Social Studies Curriculum in Turkey: The Guiding Principle of Balance
Author(s) -
Gürbüz Ocak,
Akin Karakuyu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
european journal of educational sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1857-6036
DOI - 10.19044/ejesvv8no2a68
Subject(s) - curriculum , balance (ability) , mathematics education , qualitative research , reliability (semiconductor) , class (philosophy) , psychology , pedagogy , sociology , computer science , social science , artificial intelligence , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience
This study investigates the social studies curriculum applied in 4th 5th 6th and 7th grades in Turkeyaccording to the principle of balance, which is one of the guiding principles of curriculum development. The research is conducted with a case study of qualitative research methods. The research is designed with a holistic case study design. Research data were collected by the methods of the interview with social studies teachers, observation in 4th 5th 6th and 7th grades and document review of the course objectives in the social studies curriculum and analyzed by content analysis technique. The reliability of the data was calculated with the multi-degree Kappa coefficient based on the agreement between the observers and the opinion agreement for the opinions. According to the results of the study, it was found out the principle of balance was generally neglected, and there is balance with regards to the past and present, different cultures and local culture, close and distant environment, classroom and out-of-class learning while there is no balance in terms of using only written, verbal and visual materials and the other principles. The research consequently suggested recommendations to curriculum development experts and teachers to ensure the principle of balance.