Assestment of Grade 5 Social Studies Textbook Content in Light of Teacher Opinios

Abstract

There have been significant changes in social studies textbooks through time. Especially since the 2005 syllabus entered into force, these textbooks have seen important changes both in content and form. While comprising of a little citizenship knowledge and mostly history and geography subjects before, since 2005 these textbooks came to contain many fields of knowledge including science and technology, psychology, sociology and economy, in addition to the history and geography subjects before. This new form of the textbooks has also passed through many changes until today. Finally, social studies textbooks were updated in 2018-2019 academic year based on the changes in the program. The goal of this study is to assess the contents of this updated grade 5 social studies textbook in line with opinions of the teachers.

In scope of this study an interview form mostly comprised of open-ended question was applied with 28 teachers working in various provinces in order to assess the contents of the grade 5 social studies textbook put into use in the 2018-2019 academic year. The responses given to these open-ended questions are processed by content analysis method, which is a qualitative research technique. The study process was conducted in a planned and transparent manner. This is also important for reliability and validity of the study.

It is found that teachers are generally satisfied with the content of grade 5 social studies textbook. There are some problems cited in regard of the language of the book not being suitable for the student level in context of some subjects. In particular, teachers have important suggestions regarding use of a storytelling language in regard of culture and heritage subjects in the textbook. The textbook is found adequate in regard of actuality and inner circle teaching. The teacher largely think compatibility of visuals with the content of textbook is sufficient; however, the textbook used in the previous year was also deemed agreeable in this regard.