PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ IMAGES ON THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES OF TURKEY

43862

In the current study, it is aimed to determine pre-service teachers’ perceptions, opinions and to determine their competences on the basis of their geographical knowledge about the neighbouring countries of Turkey. The study group of the study, employing the descriptive survey model, consists of 90 first and second year students attending the Department of Social Studies Teaching of an education faculty. In the selection of the study group, purposive sampling method was used. A structured data collection tool with open-ended questions was used as the data collection tool. The data were analysed using content analysis. According to the obtained results, it was concluded that the pre-service teachers have inadequate and incorrect statements regarding the location, physical, population, economic and political features of the Turkey s neighbouring countries and they do not have the knowledge base needed to spatially analyse the neighbouring countries to Turkey. It is noteworthy that, pre-service teachers make assessments about countries through stereotypes and prejudices and it is noteworthy that the definitions of neighbouring countries are based on the understanding of friends and enemy countries. Based on the fact that the participants are pre-service teachers, it is important that pre-service teachers’ having accurate, and in-depth information and having spatial thinking skills about the neighbouring countries to Turkey and these countries’ relationships with Turkey. In this context, it is recommended that the Social Studies Education undergraduate program and course content in this program be arranged.

13

Turkey , Neighbouring Countries , İmage , Pre , service Teacher , Social Studies

International Journal of Geography and Geography Education

35

International Journal of Geography and Geography Education