Social studies pre-service teachers' social participation in solutions to environmental problems

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reveal the factors that influence Social Studies Pre-service Teachers' participation to the solution of environmental problems. This study utilized semi-structured interviews as a qualitative research method. The sample group of this study consisted of 12 pre-service teachers who attended the department of Social Studies Education of the Faculty of Education at Kastamonu University during 2010-2011 academic-year. As a result of this study, it has been concluded that Social Studies Pre-service Teachers' participation to the solution of environmental problems was too low. This low level of participation might be caused by teachers' low level of attention to the environment, knowledge, sensitivity and awareness, not having the cognitive skills that needed for social participation, insufficient social participation opportunities and needs of prospective teachers and needs of student teachers' referral and lack of incentive on the subject.