The Role of Media in Geography Courses from the Perspectives of Pre-Service Social Studies Teachers

Year 2015, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 172 - 189, 28.05.2015

Cemalettin Ayas

Abstract

In this article, the authors explore the social studies teacher candidates’ understanding of the role of media in geography courses which they took. Qualitative research techniques were used in the study designed using phenomenological pattern. The study was conducted with 134 pre-service social studies teachers at a state university’s Faculty of Education, Department of Social Studies Education in the 2013-2014 academic year. Data were collected via semi-structured interview technique. Data of the study were analyzed by using qualitative descriptive analysis. According to results from the analysis, social studies teacher candidates have been accessing the geographical knowledge mostly by means of internet, but they didn’t use internet fruitful. Teacher candidates thought that their geography lecturers have not been using media in geography courses adequately. After appointment to teacher profession, they will have used instructional media technologies effectively.

Keywords

Social studies pre-service teachers, geography courses, use of media, teacher training, qualitative descriptive analysis

References

• Becker, H. J. (1999). Internet use by teachers: Conditions of professional use and teacher- directed students use. Teaching, learning and computing: 1998 national survey, Report No: 1. Irvine: Center for Research on Information Technology and Organizations, University of California, Irvine.
• Becker, H. J. (2000). Findings from the teaching, learning, and computing survey: Is Larry Cuban right? Education Policy Analysis Archives, 8(51), 2-32.
• Becker, H. J. (2001). How are teacher using computers in instruction? Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Seattle, WA.
• Bulut, İ., & Koçoğlu, E. (2012). Sosyal bilgiler öğretmenlerinin akıllı tahta kullanımına ilişkin görüşleri (Diyarbakır İli Örneği). Dicle Üniversitesi Ziya Gökalp Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 19, 242-258.
• Dexter, S., & Riedel, E. (2003). Why improving preservice teacher educational technology preparation must go beyond the college’s walls. Journal of Teacher Education, 54, 334- 346.
• Edelson, D. C., & Reiser, B. J. (2006). Making authentic practices accessible to learners: Design challenges and strategies. In R. K. Sawyer (Ed.), Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences (pp. 335-354). New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Fairgrieve, J. (1926). Geography in school. London: University of London Press.
• France, D., & Wheeler, A., (2007). Reflections on using podcasting for student feedback. Planet, 8, 9-11.
• Gibson, S., & Oberg, D. (2004). Visions and realities of internet use in schools: Canadian perspectives. British Journal of Educational Technology, 35, 569-585.
• Gomez, L. M., Sherin, M. G., Griesdorn, J., & Finn, L. E. (2008). Creating social relationship the role of technology in preservice teacher preparation. Journal of Teacher Education, 59(2), 117-131.
• Gultig, J. (2010). Using media in teaching. Braamfontein: Saide.
• Jekel, T. (2006) . Virtuelle Flüge, raumliches Problemlösen, kritisch-konstruktive Didaktik- Anforderungen an Lehren und Lernen mit Geoinformation. In: Jekel T, Koller A, Strobl, J (eds) Lernen mit Geoinformationen. Herbert Witchmann Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 23-34.
• Kent, A. (2002). Geography Changes and Challenges. In M.Smith (ed.) Teaching Geography in Secondary Schools A Reader, 3-20. London: RoutledgeFalmer.
• Knight, J. (2006) Investigating geography undergraduates’ attitudes to teaching, learning, and technology. Planet, 16, 19 – 21.
• Lindner-Fally, M, “Digital:earth:at – Centre for Teaching and Learning Geography and Geoinformatics”, Proc. HERODOT Conference, Ayvalik, Turkey, <http:// www.herodot.net/conferences/Ayvalik/papers/geotech12.pdf>, (10 December 2012), (2009).
• Newman, J., & Jones, R. (2008). E-Learning or a-Gimmick? Evaluating the use of rich media in Geography fieldwork. Planet, 20, 47-50.
• O’Mahony, K. (2000). Theme-based geography education as an effective method of teaching. In “Geographical Literacy”. Seattle: Educare Press.
• Patterson, T. C. (2007). Google Earth as a (Not Just) Geography Education Tool. Journal of Geography, 106(4), 145-152.
• Pellegrino, J. W., Goldman, S. R., Brown, M., Oney, B., Nacu, D. C., & Plants, R. (2006). Understanding and influencing the integration of technology into teacher education. In F. K. Oser, F. Achtenhagen, & U. Renold (Eds.), Competence –oriented teacher training: Old research demands and new pathways (pp. 179-196). Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Sense Publishers.
• Ronnkvist, A., Dexter, S., & Anderson, R. (2000). Technology support: Its depth, breadth, and impact on America’s schools: Teaching, learning, and computing 1998 survey, Report No: 5. Irvine: Center for Research on Information, Technology, and Organizations at University of California, Irvine.
• Russell, M., Bebell, D., O’Dwyer, L., & O’Connor, K. (2003). Examining teacher technology use: Implications for preservice and in-service teacher preparation. Journal of Teacher Education, 54, 297-310.
• Sharpe, B. (2000). Virtual geographies as instructional technologies, evaluation and assessment. In A. Hecht and A. Pletsch (Eds.), International Textbook Research – Virtual Geography Texs (VGT) (pp. 261-273). Braunschweig: Georg- Eckert Institut.
• Schee, J. V. D. (2003). New media will accelerate the renewal of geographic education. In Rod Gerber (Eds.), International Handbook on Geographical Education (pp. 205-213). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
• Solem, M., and P. Gersmehl. 2005. Online Global Geography Modules Enhance Undergraduate Learning. AAG Newsletter 40(8):11.
• Yazıcı, H., & Demirkaya, H. (2010). Views of student teachers on information technology integration in geography teaching. Scientific Research and Essays, 5(13), 1746-1753.
• Yıldırım, A. ve Şimşek, H. (2008). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri. Ankara: Seçkin.
• Wathore, N. G. (2012). Utility of instructional materials in the teaching geography at higher secondary level. International Educational E-Journal (Quaterly), I (III), 115-122.
• Zeichner, K. (2006). Reflections of a university-based teacher educator on the future of college- and university-based teacher education. Journal of Teacher Education, 57, 326- 340.
• Zwartjes, L. (2014 ). The need for a learning line for spatial thinking using GIS in education. In R. M. Gonzales and K. Donert (Eds.), Innovative Learning Geography in Europe: New Challenge for the 21st Century (pp.39-62). Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.