Identifying the Attitudes and Views of Social Sciences Teachers Toward Values Education in Turkey

Abstract

Values are the foundation of culture. The aim of values education is to help learners improve their social tendencies
by adopting social and universal values, support character development, raise good citizens, and enhance academic
efforts and achievement. In Turkey, values education is offered in the teaching-learning process of all courses
through formal curricula in primary and secondary schools. However, it is “social sciences” course that directly
relates to values education and intends to teach at least one value in every chapter. This study aimed at identifying
social sciences teachers' attitudes toward values education, analyse difference in attitudes based on diverse variables
and examine teacher views on values education practices in social sciences course. It is a mixed method study that
was conducted using triangulation method. The study group comprised 135 social sciences teachers who participated
in the study on quantitative level and 45 social sciences teachers on qualitative level. Results of the study indicated
that the teachers held positive and high attitudes toward values education, there was no significant variation in
attitudes toward values education based on gender, but attitudes differed based on professional experience while the
teachers held positive views concerning values education practices implemented in social sciences class, considering
them important. They stated that “being responsible” is the least adopted value among students.