Prospective Social Studies Teachers' Views on School Environments outside the Classroom

Out-of-class learning activities are educational activities that enable students to have learning experiences outside the classroom, beyond the traditional classroom environment. These activities can help students make learning more effective, develop their interests and increase their skills. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of social studies teacher candidates' out-of-class learning environments on their school achievement. Nineteen pre-service social studies teachers studying at Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Education participated in the study which was designed based on qualitative research approach. The research data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through descriptive analysis. According to the results obtained, it was concluded that out-of-class learning environments increase student motivation and achievement as well as help students to control the learning process more and develop independent learning skills. It was suggested that educators can make the best use of this potential by organizing and supporting activities suitable for students' interests and that integrating out-of-class activities with in-class teaching can help students have deeper and more lasting learning experiences. [For the full proceedings, see ED652261.]