International Journal of Progressive Education, cilt.17, sa.3, ss.49-69, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)
In this study, by helping social studies pre-service teachers develop activities for thinking skills, it was
aimed to explore the effects of such activities in the context of professional competencies. The
research was designed as action research. The action research group included 31 pre-service teachers
(16 women and 15 men). Semi-structured interviews were conducted in final meeting with 12
volunteering participants after the application was completed. The following findings were explored in
detail as; in the context of professional development, skills, values, and professional competence
dimensions; in the context of lesson planning and teaching processes, lesson planning, teaching
processes, material use, and contributions to activity production; and, at the end of the implementation
process, evaluations of the implementation process and personal development. As a result of the
research it was determined that creative thinking, critical thinking, thinking from different
perspectives, original thinking, reflective thinking, high-level thinking, problem solving, scientific
thinking, analytical thinking, thoughtful thinking, empathetic thinking, objective thinking, aesthetic
thinking, developing broad perspective, collaborative thinking, and questioning skills were developed
in the skills dimension. In the dimension of value, values such as justice, empathy, patriotism,
austerity, respect, trust, self-confidence, solidarity, diligence and responsibility were developed. When
the general results are evaluated, it was revealed that the pre-services improved their professional
competencies in terms of lesson planning, implementation, activity development, material use, and
pedagogical aspects. In order to ensure that the professional needs and competencies of pre-service
teachers are met and supported, institutional educational programs that train teachers should undergo
curriculum updates with the addition of the necessary theoretical and practical information to
implement activity-based teaching in it successfully.