Online History Courses Conducted during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey: A Process Evaluation from the Perspective of High School Students

• Published in: International journal of curriculum and instruction Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 1126 - 1154
• Main Authors: Turan, Refik, Bektas, Özlem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: World Council for Curriculum and Instruction 2023
• Subjects: COVID-19; Distance Education; Foreign Countries; High School Students; History Instruction; Instructional Materials; Online Courses; Pandemics; School Closing; Student Attitudes; Student Behavior; Student Evaluation; Teaching Methods; Videoconferencing; Turkey (Ankara)
• ISSN: 1562-0506

The aim of this research is to evaluate the online history courses conducted in the emergency remote teaching process in Turkey from the perspective of high school students. The study group was composed of 193 high school students from different types of high schools in Aksaray province of Turkey. In the study, the case study method, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The data were collected using a personal information form and a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. Within the framework of the research, the obtained data were analyzed via content analysis. The codes, themes, frequencies and direct quotations from the participant's views were expressed and evaluated. The results of the research showed that in the emergency remote teaching process, online history lessons were mainly carried out through the Educational Information Network (EBA) and ZOOM digital platforms, the microphones of the students were usually turned on and the cameras were kept closed during the online lessons, the teachers mostly used the conventional lecturing method, and utilized the teaching materials such as maps, various visuals and videos. It was also revealed that students were mostly assigned for answering questions, watching videos and preparing for the subjects, and students' success was mostly assessed and evaluated through exams, class participation and performance assignments.