This study aims to determine social studies teacher trainees comprehension level of climate, wind, temperature, precipitation, erosion, ecology and map concepts as part of the geography teacher training curriculum. The study was carried out with 200 teacher trainees studying at primary school social studies teaching departments of Selcuk University, Gazi University, Adıyaman University, Uşak University and Niğde University during 2008-2009 spring semester. Participant teacher trainees were asked to define these aforementioned concepts used in social studies teaching. The research is a qualitative study which aims to describe social studies teacher trainees comprehension levels of these concepts. As a data collection tool an open ended questionnaire, titled Some Concepts Related to Geography, was used. Collected data were analyzed by frequencies and percentages. As a result of the study, it was found that teacher trainees were not able to define and comprehend the concepts of Climate, Wind, Temperature, Precipitation, Erosion, Ecology and Map accurately.
Key words: Geography, Social Studies, Concept, Social Studies Teacher Trainee
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