TEACHER BEHAVIORS IN SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSROOMS: SOME CARIBBEAN FINDINGS

Abstract

Social studies, though a relatively new subject area in the curriculum of Caribbean schools — dating only from the 1960’s —enjoys a very wide and growing acceptance at both the elementary and highschool levels. To date, however, very little research has been undertaken regarding the practice of social studies teaching, or the classroom behaviors of social studies teachers, in the specific cultural milieu of Caribbean schools. Recent observations of social studies teachers in a sample of Caribbean schools, however, indicate that (i) both trained teachers and teachers in-training infrequently engage in certain expected behaviors; (ii) both trained teachers and teachers in-training employ a limited selection of teaching materials, strategies, and evaluation procedures; and (Hi) there are significant differences in behaviors between the two groups of teachers, but not always in favor of the trained teachers. These findings indicate the need for further research in order to identify the specific factors which may be contributing to the selection of teaching materials, teaching strategies, and evaluation procedures.