Economic Literacy Levels of Social Studies Teacher Candidates

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of economic literacy -an important component of being a good citizen -among seniors studying at social studies teacher program which aims at cultivating good citizens and to find out its relationships in terms of various variables. The quantitative sample of the study was comprised of 726 senior teacher candidates studying at Social Studies Teacher Education Program of the universities from seven different regions in 2013-2014 academic year. The qualitative sample included 436 teacher candidates from the quantitative sample. An Economic Literacy Questionnaire was used to determine the economic literacy levels of teacher candidates and the questionnaire was made up of 3 sections as personal data form, economic literacy test and a student opinion form on the topics of economic literacy. The results from the study revealed that economic literacy levels of social studies teacher candidates were found to be moderate, which also seemed to be supported by the responses of teacher candidates. Based on the results, it is thought to be helpful to increase the number of economics classes in the undergraduate program in order to the increase the economic literacy levels of teacher candidates.

Economic Literacy Among Social Studies Teachers in Oman

“…Furthermore, most in-service training programs focus on teaching methods, building assessments tools, and educational technology. The current results can be said to be similar to some of the previous studies conducted on the economic literacy of teachers (Akhan, 2015;Al-Rabaani & Al-Mikhlafi, 2011;Fagan, 2007;Hindi, 1998). The current and previous studies raised the issue of teaching economic literacy in schools in general and Oman in particular where the economic literacy of social studies need to be enhanced to ensure that teachers can make a significant difference with their students.…”

“…The results also revealed that there are gender differences in teachers' level of economic literacy, with females having a higher level of literacy about countries of highest national and individual income, while male teachers showed a higher level of knowledge about monetary policies, corroborating previous studies (Akhan, 2015;Grimes, Millea, & Thomas, 2007;Yohanes et al, 2017). Such differences could be attributed to gender-related background and field of interest.…”

“…An economic literacy test (ELT) was used to determine the economic literacy levels of Omani SSTs (relative to demographic characteristics) in five sections concerning monetary policies, global currencies, global economic clusters, countries with highest natural resources production, and countries with highest GDP and individual income. ELT was developed by the researchers based on literature related to economic literacy (Akhan, 2015;Al-Rabaani & Al-Mikhlafi, 2011;Hindi, 1998;Varum, Santos, & Afreixo, 2014;Walstad Walstad, Rebeck, & Butters, 2013).…”

“…Studies exploring the economic literacy of SSTs found a moderate level of proficiency, which may be better than expected given the generally qualitative and eponymously 'social' orientation of learning among such professionals (i.e. they typically specialize in subjects such as sociology rather than economics) (Akhan, 2015;Al-Rabaani & Al-Mikhlafi, 2011;Fagan, 2007;Hindi, 1998).…”

“…Economic literacy is curial for the socio-economic development of every country (Dwivedi, 2004). It fosters people understanding of economic roles in the development of their countries and individual contributions within it (Akhan, 2015). It enables people to understand worldwide economic trends and interdependences (Darvin, 2006), and prepares people to interact with different economic matters resulting from changeable political and economic policies (Koshal et al, 2008).…”