Classroom Culture in the Social Studies Classroom: The Abilities of Preservice Teachers

Authors

Sarah J. Kaka, Ohio Wesleyan UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how secondary students interpret the classroom culture that preservice social studies teachers create during their student teaching semester. This question was answered by examining results of a survey of secondary social studies students that allowed them to evaluate the classroom culture their social studies preservice teacher created. A Student Perception Survey was used for the study, which loaded four main indicators of classroom culture. Through descriptive statistical analysis of the survey results, this study found that secondary social studies students believed their preservice teachers were most adept at creating a student-centered classroom, while they experienced cultivation of a classroom community the least. The potential implications of the latter are wide and varied, especially when considering the nature of the social studies discipline and the issues discussed in those classes.

Recommended Citation

Kaka, Sarah J. (2019) "Classroom Culture in the Social Studies Classroom: The Abilities of Preservice Teachers," The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies: Vol. 80: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/the_councilor/vol80/iss2/6