EXPECTATIONS OF PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS FOR THE FUTURE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM

Abstract

Social studies course includes knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values encountered in every bit of community life. Since social life and society’s expectations from individuals constantly change, social studies education is in the center of this change. Considering the function of social studies course to guide social life, the future of social studies education draws a lot of curiosity. This research aims to determine teacher candidates’ opinions who will be social studies teachers in the future about social studies education in the future. It has been conducted through semi-structured interview technique based on qualitative research model, and data have been analyzed through inductive analysis technique. Findings obtained at the end of the research indicate that social studies program should aim raising world citizens by gaining national and universal values to them, that the content of the program should be compatible with practice, that constructivist approach should truly be applied in teaching and learning activities, and that process evaluation/assessment techniques should be adopted. Based on the findings of this research, it may be concluded that some changes should be made both on primary education social studies program in order to shape social studies education in the future.