Perception of Peace in Students’ Drawings
Abstract
Problem
Statement: Societies are facing several kinds of problems in
the world today as chaos among the countries, conflicts between different
groups, wars and diseases. It can be claimed that solving these problems is
impossible unless societies care about humanistic cooperation, tolerance and
peace. Individuals
required developing fundamental values as peace, love, respect, tolerance, etc.
to be an active and responsible citizen of a democratic society. Peace
education can be a part of school program to develop positive peace
understanding in students. Students’ perception regarding the world can be seen
in their drawings. Therefore, it is important to reveal students’ perception
about peace through their drawings.
Purpose
of the Study: This study aims to investigate fifth grade
students’ perception of peace through their drawings. In direction of this main
purpose, the answers of the questions have been looked for “How do the students
reflect their perception of peace in their drawings?” and “How do the students
reflect their perception of peace in written opinions?”
Method: Phenomenological
design was used in this study. The participants of the study were a total of 23
students who attended the fifth grade at a primary school in 2011-2012 spring
term in Eskisehir. Data of the study were gathered by students’ drawings,
semi-structured interviews and students’ writings. Inductive analysis was used
in the study.
Findings:
Findings of the
study showed that students emphasized peace in parents, interpersonal peace,
and peace among countries in their drawings. Moreover, they drew peace in sports
and nature, and they reflect peace with symbols to their drawings. Students
conceptually defined peace as avoiding fight and war, agreement and friendship
in their written opinions. Additionally, students compared peace to the dove,
bird, butterfly, rope, family, friends, siblings, earth, world and Turkey in
their written opinions.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The results of this study reveal that
students used some statements in terms of positive peace in their written
opinions as agreement and friendship, developing universal values. However,
they described peace as a negative peace in their drawings. Suggestions were
offered on the basis of the results of the study to develop students’
perception about positive peace. For instance, interdisciplinary activities can
be organized to develop a positive perception of peace for students.
Informative seminars can be organized for teachers, pre-service teachers and
parents about peace education. Moreover, applied research can be designed to
develop a positive perception of peace for students.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
-
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
October 15, 2016
Submission Date
October 15, 2016
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2016 Volume: 16 Number: 65