TEACHING THE CONCEPT OF SETTLEMENT IN SOCIAL STUDIES: AN ACTION RESEARCH

This study aims to assess how grade 7th students' perceive and conceptualise the concept of settlement as foreseen in the associated social studies curriculum. It also seeks to propose new teaching an learning activities and materials that could be utilised to teach students the above highlighted concept effectively and increase the durability of the relevant learning outcomes. Designed as an action research, this study employs a whole class of grade seven students attaining a public middle school in Denizli province in 2014-2015 academic year as its participants in accordane with criterion sampling technique. A metaphor form, role playing activity, a worksheet on settlement, a text on conceptual change, field notes of the researcher/actioner, semi-structured interviews and notes on the evaluation of whole process were used as tools to teach the concept of settlement and produce research data, which were all analysed through content analysis technique. The findings revealed that the participant conceptualisation of settlement has gradually improved during the course of research. However, there is still limitations in their conceptualisation that could be interpreted as misconception, over generalisation or anachronism.