The Effectiveness of Google Earth in the Acquisition of Spatial Perception Ability in Social Studies Courses

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Google Earth (GE) application in acquiring spatial perception ability in the fourth-grade social studies course. The research was carried out in a fourth grade of a primary school in the Demirci district of Manisa Province in the year 2015-2016 using embedded experimental design. During the five-week implementation process of the research, activities based on the GE practice were performed. A pre-test before the activities and a post-test after the activities were given to the students. In addition, semi-structured interviews were held with the students at the end of the implementation. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the data obtained from the achievement test, and the thematic analysis method was used to analyze the qualitative data. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the pre-and post-test scores for the achievement tests. The students also stated that the activities based on the GE implementation increased their success and allowed them to gain spatial skills. In conclusion, the social studies course activities based on GE practice might have an important function for the students to gain spatial perception skills.