American Journal of Social Science Research
Articles Information
American Journal of Social Science Research, Vol.1, No.3, Aug. 2015, Pub. Date: Jul. 3, 2015
Social Studies Teachers’ Content Knowledge in Senior High Schools in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region of Ghana
Pages: 169-177 Views: 4025 Downloads: 5442
Authors
[01] Anthony Bordoh, Department of Art and Social Sciences, Enchi College of Education, Enchi, Ghana.
[02] Isaac Eshun, Department of Art and Social Sciences, Enchi College of Education, Enchi, Ghana.
[03] Sylvanus Kofie, Department of Art and Social Sciences, Fosu College of Education, Assin Fosu, Ghana.
[04] Thoephilus Kweku Bassaw, Department of Art and Social Sciences, Komenda College of Education, Komenda, Ghana.
[05] Patrick Kwarteng, Department of Art and Social Sciences, Sefwi Wiawso College of Education, Sefwi Wiawso, Ghana.
Abstract
The main objective of the study was to find out how Social Studies teachers at the Senior High School (SHS) understand the content of what they are teaching to be able to achieve the objectives of the subject. To achieve this objective, interview guide, observation checklist and questionnaire were used to elicit the views of respondents. In all, 54 Social Studies teachers were involved in the study. The simple random, cluster and convenient sampling techniques were used to select the respondents for the study. Frequency counts and percentages were used as statistical tools for analysing the questionnaire data collected, and the data from the interview guide was transcribed, categorized, analysed and discussed on themes and subthemes that emerged. The findings revealed that majority of the teachers lack content knowledge of Social Studies and they were not teaching to develop attitude, skills, values and knowledge. Teachers were teaching the subject in as amalgamation of social sciences and are thus not making students to be reflective, concerned and participatory citizens. Based upon the findings, it was recommended there should be courses on Social Studies content so as to develop teachers’ knowledge about the subject to enhance effective teaching.
Keywords
Social Studies, Content, Knowledge, Senior High School
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