Analysis of Pre-Service Social Sciences Teachers’ Geography Perceptions through Metaphors: Case of Dumlupinar University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to try to explain the perceptions of undergraduate students regarding geography concept using metaphors. A total of 192 students studying in the Department of Social Studies at Kütahya Dumlupınar University in the academic year 2014-2015 participated in this research. In the study following questions were searched to answer: (a) through which metaphors do undergraduate students explain the perceptions they have in relation to the concept of geography? (b) Under which categories are these metaphors collected in terms of common properties? The data in the study were obtained depending on students’ answers to this sentence: ‘‘Geography is like... because...’’. In this research, phenomenological pattern were used and the data were analyzed by using content analysis technique. According to the findings of the research; (a) undergraduate students have produced 112 valid metaphors related to the concept of geography in total. (b) These metaphors by being examined in terms of common features were grouped under five different categories. As a result of the survey, it was observed that %15,2 of the students in Social Studies Department perceived the concept of geography as the source of life, %32,2 of them as part of the review of research, %18,7 as a reflection of the natural environment, 15,2% as nature and human interaction, % 18,7 as entertainment factor. As a consequence, the metaphor related to the concept of geography could be used as a powerful research tool in understanding and explaining the perceptions concerning geography concept of undergraduate students.