Abstract:

In this study, the effect of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based Social Studies teaching on the spatial thinking skills of 6th grade students was investigated. In addition, it was aimed to determine the opinions of students about social studies courses conducted with GIS-based activities. The study is conducted with 6th grade students in the spring term of 2016-2017 academic year, in a secondary school located in district of Espiye in Giresun province. The research was conducted based on the pretest-posttest control group design of the quasi-experimental method. One experimental group (N = 20) and one control group (N = 21) were included in the study. In the experimental group, the courses were conducted with GIS-based activities and in the control group, according to the curriculum-based teaching. In the study, "Spatial Thinking Skills Test (STSsT)" was used as the data collection tool. Experiment group students' opinions were determined by the semi-structured interview form. According to the results of the study, a significant difference was found in favour of the experimental group among the final test average scores.  In addition, Interview results show that GIS-based social studies course provided more effective, and permanent learning and students had positive opinions about the use of this technology in the courses. Based on the results of the research, suggestions are provided on the use of spatial technologies in the development of spatial thinking skills and effective use of GIS-based teaching practices in Social Studies course.