Perceptions of Elementary School Students: Experiences and Dreams about the Life Studies Course


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Baysal Z. N., Tezcan Ö., Araç K. E.

Universal Journal of Educational Research, cilt.6, sa.3, ss.440-454, 2018 (Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 6 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2018
  • Doi Numarası: 10.13189/ujer.2018.060311
  • Dergi Adı: Universal Journal of Educational Research
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.440-454
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study seeks to identify elementary school students’ views and perceptions of the Life Studies course through verbal and visual instruments. It employs a descriptive phenomenological research design. The study surveyed second- and third-grade students attending one private elementary school and two state elementary schools. The data was collected using a form including open-ended questions prepared by the researchers. The same form asked students to draw a picture of what kind of setting/class they envisioned for the Life Studies course. As part of the study, which incorporated feedback from 146 students, pictures were examined, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 students selected through criterion sampling. The data collected from both the open-ended questions and the pictures and interviews was analyzed using content analysis. According to the research results, the students considered Life Studies a fun course that teaches and facilitates life skills and provides new information; however, they also reported that Life Studies was a boring course because it requires too much writing and they do not like some activities. Keywords Elementary School, Life Studies, Student Perceptions, Phenomenology, Student Paintings