EFFECTS OF USE OF CARTOONS IN SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT THE COURSE

This study investigates the effects of the use of cartoons in the social studies course on the academic achievement of students, and their opinions about the course. The Social Studies 7th Grade “Science in Time” unit was taught with cartoon-based activitieswithin the scope of the study. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used simultaneously; student achievements were assessed using three worksheets; their opinions about the course were determined using a 13-item questionnaire; and it was aimed to support thesequantitative data with the open-ended questions asked. Quantitative data were analyzed via paired samples t-test, while descriptive analysis was used with qualitative data. According to the findings of the study, the use of cartoons in the Social Studies course increases students’ academic achievement and creates a positive difference in their opinions about the course in general terms.