Examining the necessity of geography instruction in the programs of preschool education departments

Abstract

It is fact that preparing teachers is vital in terms of educational systems. When we thus look at the undergraduate levels of teacher preparation programs in the colleges of education, it is realized that there is no course regarding geography instruction offered in the current undergraduate level preschool education programs as well as in the new draft program (proposed by the Turkish Ministry of Education). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to emphasize a need for geography instruction in the undergraduate level preschool education programs and thus provide some suggestions about it. The data is gathered from the last three university entrance examinations in order to demonstrate how successful the candidates of preservice teachers were regarding geographical content knowledge. The research population consist sixty eight (68) preservice teachers enrolled in the preschool education department of Uludag University in the academic year of 2006-2007. The research instrument was applied to sample population in October 2006. Responds given to the research instrument with a total of forty nine (49) multiple choice questions were analyzed using the SPSS statistical analysis software. After analyzing the data, the achievement level of preservice teachers was found to be fifty six point two percent (56.2 %). Keeping in mind the structure of geography questions asked in the university entrance exam, the achievement level of preschool teachers is not good enough for a desired level. Consequently, the study points out a need or, in fact, a "must" to have geography instruction in the departments of preschool education in order to prepare high quality teachers who adequately respond the needs of preschool students, educating them as knowledgeable individuals on local as well as international issues.