The Argumentation-Based Teaching Process in Social Studies and Science: Reflections from Students and the Teacher

The implementation of argumentation-based teaching is crucial for enabling students to question and debate, generate new ideas, and approach different viewpoints with respect. While studies on argumentation-based teaching are especially intensive in the field of science, they are less so in the social sciences. Therefore, it is of great importance to prepare activities that can be applied in both types of courses, which have different philosophical perspectives. The aim of the study is to determine the opinions of fourth grade primary school students and their primary school teacher about the argumentation-based teaching applied in Social Studies and Science courses. The argumentation-based teaching process in Social Studies and Science courses was carried out using phenomenology, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group consisted of 9 students who participated in argumentation-based teaching and the primary school teacher who implemented the teaching. Semi-structured student and teacher interview form related to Social Studies and Science courses, student and teacher diary were used as data collection tools in the study. The data obtained from student views were supported by quotations from the interviews and student diaries. Students reported that courses conducted with argumentation-based teaching were enjoyable, that they liked the training because it was fun, and that they struggled when their classmates did not participate in discussions. They also mentioned that the courses were freed from boredom, that they considered the topic from different perspectives, and that they learned the correct information after realizing their mistakes. Additionally, regarding the argumentation-based teaching process in Social Studies and Science courses, the primary school teacher provided their views on the categories of 'changes in students,' 'changes in the teacher,' and 'challenges encountered during the implementation process.