Secondary students' growing disenchantment with social studies - a case study

Authors

Wally Moroz, Edith Cowan University
Moreton Harslett, Edith Cowan University

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Faculty

Faculty of Community Services, Education and Social Sciences

School

School of Education

RAS ID

2214

Comments

Moroz, W., & Harslett, M. (2001). Secondary students' growing disenchantment with social studies-a case study. In Proceedings of 2001 AARE International Education Research Conference. Fremantle, Australia.

Abstract

This paper describes findings from a case study of student attitudes toward social studies in one Independent secondary school in Western Australia. The research used quantitative and qualitative methods to determine the attitudes of lower secondary students toward social studies and to explain the factors influencing these attitudes. A particular focus was on the impact on attitudes of students' year levels. The findings indicate that students at the case-study school do not like social studies and that its status declines from Year 8 to Years 9 and 10. Students find social studies boring because of the teacher-centred activities and they do not see its relevance for future job prospects. The study provides a foundation for further research to be conducted.