Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 . This paper was received on 1/10/2011 and approved on 8/4/2012.
2 Assistant Professor, Bu Ali Sina University of Hamedan; email: fuman47@gmail.com
3 . Assistant Professor, Bu Ali Sina University of Hamedan
4 MA, History and Philosophy of Education
Abstract
The present research aims to study the emphasis laid by guidance-school social sciences curriculum on the critical approach. The survey research was used as the research method, and the statistical population included all 85 teachers teaching social sciences at the guidance schools of District One of Hamedan Educational Department in the school year 2008-2009 as well as social sciences textbooks of grades one to three. Random sampling and census methods were applied to the statistical population to produce a statistical sample of 71 teachers and an equal number of textbooks. Data were collected through researcher-made questionnaires whose content validity was assessed by content validity and their reliability by Cronbach's alpha coefficient which was calculated as 0.81. Descriptive statistical indices along with non-parametric X2 and parametric independent t-test were used to describe the collected data. Research findings showed that social sciences curriculum places low emphasis on flexibility and risk-taking and medium emphasis on resourcefulness, inclusiveness and curiosity. In addition, there appeared to be no difference between male and female teachers' views on social sciences curriculum's emphasis on critical approach components.
Keywords
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