An Evaluation of Constructivist Learning Environments In Social Studies Courses in Hakkari: Is The Transition Easy?

The present study aims to examine the way in which social studies learning environments based on the constructivist view implemented in schools in Hakkari. The qualitative research designs were adopted in the study where participants were selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with social studies teachers and classroom observations. A group of (n=25) the social studies teachers who work in schools located in the province of Hakkari were interviewed face-to-face regarding how they implement social studies curriculum in their classes. Six of these teachers were also selected for classroom observations. Each teacher was observed for 6 teaching hour. Thereby, a total of 36 social studies teaching hour was observed. Content analysis method was used in analyzing the qualitative data obtained via interviews and observations. Findings of the study indicated that the constructivist teaching environments could not be created in the social studies courses in schools in Hakkari due to political, socio-cultural, geographical, economical factors.