An investigation into the teaching of social studies concepts in Senior High Schools in the Krachi East District

Abstract

This study was carried out in two Senior High Schools in the Krachi-East District in the Volta Region of Ghana to investigate the teaching of Social Studies concepts. Concepts allow individuals to classify objects and ideas and provide the basis for the networking of ideas for thinking, especially, higher level thinking in any subject. The study was structured basically within the framework of mixed method approach. The instruments used in the collection of data were an interview guide, questionnaire and an observation guide. The participants of the study were six Social Studies teachers who were purposely sampled and thirty students who were sampled based on stratification. The study brought to light that: Discussion technique dominated the teaching in Social Studies, Fieldtrip and Pre-reading Activity for Concept Enhancement (PACE) were virtually absent in the teaching of Social Studies. The lecture technique is still heavily relied upon by teachers in the teaching of Social Studies, electronic media were not used in the teaching and learning of Social Studies concepts, newspapers, magazines and journals were not available. Both teachers and students had positive attitudes towards the teaching and learning of Social Studies concepts. Based on the findings, certain recommendations were made. These include the provision of avenues for in-service training for Social Studies teachers to upgrade their skills and competencies in both content and pedagogy, the use of technology in teaching Social Studies and the provision of teaching and learning resources to aid teaching and learning.