The views of social studies teacher candidates on coding and production of educational materials through coding

Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine the views of social studies teacher candidates on coding and production of educational materials through coding. In the research, document review method, which is one of the qualitative research methods, was employed. A puzzle produced by coding has been examined by teacher candidates. Then, 8 questions were addressed to 40 teacher candidates in order to receive their views through interview forms. Data obtained from the interview form were analyzed by content analysis. When calculating the reliability of the research, the reliability formula developed by Miles and Huberman [20] was used. As a result of the research, it was determined that teacher candidates do not have the knowledge of coding in general, that there is no teacher candidate who produces material by coding except one teacher candidate, but that the majority of teacher candidates want to learn coding. In the views of a majority of teacher candidates, it was revealed that it would be appropriate to give coding education in the high school period. The material produced by coding was found to be simple, fun, informative, summarizer and effective by teacher candidates. Teacher candidates think that such materials are low cost, reusable, attractive, functional and easy to distribute materials, however, they believe that coding has disadvantages such as technical equipment requirement, the high cost of ready-to-use software fees, and a negative impact on students’ health.