A Review of Social Studies Course Books Regarding Digital Literacy and Media Literacy

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which digital literacy and media literacy among the 21st century skills are included in the social studies curriculum of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grades in Turkey. Among qualitative research methods, the document analysis was used in the study. Since the data were collected from printed and digital materials, this method was believed to be appropriate. The study is limited to social studies course books that re taught to the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade students in Adıyaman province of Turkey in the 2020-2021 academic year. The study found that among the skills included in the social studies curriculum, digital literacy and media literacy skills are included. Four learning outcomes in the curriculum (no: 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.4.3. and 7.5.6.) are associated with digital literacy and 3 learning outcomes (no: 5.4.2, 6.7.4, 7.1.3.) are associated with media literacy. Among all learning outcomes in the curriculum (127 learning outcomes), the digital literacy and media literacy are included at a rate of 5.51%. The contents on digital literacy and media literacy were not distributed balancedly in the social studies course books and the contents that could be associated with digital literacy and media literacy in the social studies course books of the 5th and 7th grades were included. Of the contents in the 5th and 7th grade social studies course books, 6.6% were related to digital literacy and 6.24% were related to media literacy. However, there were no content in the 4th and 6th grade social studies course books that could be associated with digital literacy or media literacy. On the other hand, the contents related to digital literacy and media literacy in the social studies course books were consistent with the learning outcomes in the curriculum. The number of learning outcomes regarding these two literacy types can be increased in the curriculum. The number of contents about digital literacy and media literacy can be increased in the social studies course books to be published. The contents on digital literacy and media literacy at every class level (4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade) provided with social studies course can be distributed equally.

An Analysis of Middle School Social Studies Textbooks with a Focus on Media Themes

“…All dimension frequencies and percentages evidenced irregular distribution both within individual textbooks and between texts. Erol (2021) has found that the content related to digital literacy and media literacy that can be associated with media is not evenly distributed in social studies textbooks, and in fact, that this content is included in the textbooks of the 5th and 7th grades but not in the textbooks of the 6th and 4th grades. These results highlight the need to review proportional topic distribution for media-themed content across textbooks.…”