Abstract

This research aims at outlining the opinions of elementary school teacher candidates on the Primary School Social Studies Teaching Program in relation to Program’s suitability to train problem solving and decision making abilities. Problem solving and decision making are parallel abilities since they both have common specifics. In order to realize the Program in practice, it is important for teacher candidates to recognize their abilities on problem solving and decision making. In this research, survey method has been used. Examples are composed of 128 students studying in Marmara University Atatürk Faculty of Education, Elementary Education Department. In this research triple likert type scale which is valid and reliable is used. Data obtained from this research is analysed through arithmetic average, standard dialect, t-test and varyans analysis. According to the results of the survey, teacher candidates consider the Program effective for training problem solving and decision making abilities.

Key words: Social Studies Teaching Program, thinking skills, problem solving, decision making.