The Views of Pre-Service Primary School Teachers Regarding the Concept Of “Basic Life Skills” Of Life Science Course - Study findings on teacher candidate understanding and associations

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw

Life science teaching of “basic life skills” occupies an important position in primary school curricula, yet prospective teachers may not fully grasp the concept. This qualitative study analyzed what 132 pre-service primary school teachers understood about “basic life skills,” how they handled the notion, and what meanings they associated with it. Descriptive analysis of open-ended responses showed that concept recognition within life science contexts is low, while meanings often align with self-care rather than a broader daily-living framework. Participants also emphasized varied student-centered methods and the influence of family, school, and environment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Concept of “basic life skills” and life science curriculum

Research design and data collection

Findings on understanding and associations

Implications for teaching methods and learning context

Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research Volume 14, Issue 3 September 2019 [epasr.penpublishing.net](epasr.penpublishing.net)[ ](epasr.penpublishing.net)ISSN: 1949-4270 (Print) 1949-4289 (Online) The views of pre-service primary school teachers regarding the concept of “basic life skills” of life science course Gulsum Yildirim To cite this article Yildirim, G. (2019). The views of pre-service primary school teachers regarding the concept of “basic life skills” of life science course. Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research, 14(3), 64-79. doi: 10.29329/epasr.2019.208.4 | Published Online | September 29, 2019 | | --- | --- | | Article Views | 6 single - 8 cumulative | | Article Download | 39 single - 45 cumulative | | DOI | [https://doi.org/10.29329/epasr.2019.208.4](https://doi.org/10.29329/epasr.2019.208.4) | Pen Academic is an independent international publisher committed to publishing academic books, journals, encyclopedias, handbooks of research of the highest quality in the fields of Education, Social Sciences, Science and Agriculture. Pen Academic created an open access system to spread the scientific knowledge freely. For more information about PEN, please contact: [info@penpublishing.net](info@penpublishing.net) This document downloaded from [96.253.105.162](96.253.105.162) [2 times] Chesterfield / United States on Fri, 18 Oct 2019 21:43:19 +0300 Pen Academic Publishing, Canakkale/Turkey Telephone: +90 286 243 06 66 | Fax: +90 286 213 08 [00 | info@penpublishing.net | www.penpublishing.net](00 | info@penpublishing.net | www.penpublishing.net) The Views of Pre-Service Primary School Teachers Regarding the Concept Of “Basic Life Skills” Of Life Science Course1 Gülsüm YILDIRIM2 Hakkari University Abstract The teaching of life skills has an important place in primary school programs which are the first step in gaining basic knowledge and skills about life. Since 2004-2005, life science teaching has been established to provide basic life skills. In this context, it is important that classroom teachers who will gain these skills should be informed about these skills. This study examined what pre-service teachers understood from the concept of “basic life skills”, how they dealt with the concept and what they associated the concept with. For this purpose, an open-ended questionnaire was administered to 132 pre-service primary school teachers studying at A University and B University in the 2017-2018 academic year. The qualitative survey model was used in the study and the data were gathered by descriptive analysis. As a result of the research, it can be said that even if the majority of the class teacher candidates hear "basic life skills", the rates of hearing the concept of “basic life skills” in the life science course are low. In addition, basic life skills are often defined as “maintaining daily life”and “meeting their own needs without needing anyone else”. However, it has been observed that the classroom teacher candidates perceive the concept of “basic life skills” as “self-care skills” in general. In addition, pre-service primary school teachers pointed out that the teaching of life skills could be done by using different methods and techniques that are effective by the student, and they also emphasized the context of family, school and environment. Key words: Pre-Service Primary School Teachers, Life Science Teaching, Basic Life Skills DOI: 10.29329/epasr.2019.208.4 1 I would like to thank Professor Doctor Naciye Aksoy, my PhD thesis advisor who guided me to write this article. This paper was presented at the 4. International Eurasian Educational Research Congress in Antalya 2-5 May 2018 2 Research Assist., School of Education, Hakkari University, Turkey, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2987-4775 [Correspondence:](Correspondence: yildirimgulsum27@gmail.com)[ yildirimgulsum27@gmail.com](Correspondence: yildirimgulsum27@gmail.com) 64 This docu

FAQs

What does the study investigate regarding “basic life skills”?

The study examines what pre-service primary school teachers understood from the concept of “basic life skills,” how they dealt with it, and what associations they formed.

How was the research conducted and what data were used?

An open-ended questionnaire was administered to 132 pre-service primary school teachers, and qualitative data were gathered using descriptive analysis within a qualitative survey model.

What main finding was reported about teachers’ concept recognition?

Although many candidates hear “basic life skills,” the rates of hearing the concept specifically in the life science course were reported as low.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw