Investigation of Science Teachers' Opinions on Values Education According to Different Variables

Abstract

Studies in the literature point to the necessity of implementing planned and systematic values education in schools. Teachers play a key role in the effective implementation of this process. Given the importance of implementing values education during the elementary school years, the sample group includes not only middle school science teachers but also classroom teachers who teach science. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to determine the awareness levels of teachers who teach science at the elementary and middle school levels regarding the outcomes of values education, their interest in values education, their thoughts and expectations regarding this education; and to analyze the obtained scores in terms of different variables. The “Science Course Values Education Scale (FBDÖ),” was used as the data collection tool in the study. The FBDÖ was administered to 243 teachers teaching science courses in elementary and middle schools in the province of Giresun, Turkey. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 25 statistical software package. During the data analysis process, normality tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), independent samples t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used. Upon examining the research results, it was determined that general attitudes and views toward values education did not vary by gender; however, female teachers’ levels of awareness and expectations regarding the outcomes of values education were higher compared to male teachers. The study indicates that interest levels in values education show a more significant effect in favor of married teachers compared to single teachers based on marital status, and in favor of teachers with less experience (1–5 years) based on seniority. It is recommended that researchers conduct similar studies with larger sample sizes, particularly detailed studies examining differences across years of service, and that the Ministry of National Education (MEB) organize in-service training seminars on this topic.