Geography teaching: without walls

The purpose of this study was to introduce Social Science Teaching students, who attended education faculties of Turkey, to Kayseri natural, geological, archeological and cultural resources by using Mount Erciyes, Gesi Vineyards, the Karum of Kanesh (Kultepe) and Sultan Marshes National Parks as educational tools and to install awareness towards nature due to exploration by observing foundations of nature's mechanisms and processes with using outdoor and active learning based activities. This project took place in Kayseri in 2011 with the support of TUBITAK. Within the framework of this overall purpose, the target group of this project was 3rd and 4th grade students at Social Science Teaching Department. Giving training to a total of 20 students has been planned. The training has been made up of only one period (18- 24 July 2011), in which there were 20 students. After that, measurement and evaluation activities showing the efficiency of applied program have been done. The following assessment and evaluation activity has been carried out: to determine the program's contribution on participants has been asked to write a science diary about experiences and ideas at the end of each day. Obtained data has been analyzed by the means of related qualitative analysis methods. Analysis results showed that all the students have enjoyed learning physical geography topics by outdoor learning method, although they were found difficult and tedious before. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Huseyin Uzunboylu