Research Article
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An Investigation of Social Studies Teachers' Body Language Levels

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 119 - 126, 02.01.2026

Abstract

Social studies teachers with effective communication skills can positively influence students' cognitive and affective development in a manner appropriate to the nature of the social studies course. In social studies education it is important for social studies teachers, whom students see as role models, to use body language effectively in order to increase student participation in class, make learning permanent, and create an effective learning environment. From this perspective, it was considered important to determine the level of body language used by social studies teachers, and this study was conducted for this purpose. The study conducted using the cross-sectional survey model from quantitative research methods, worked with social studies teachers of different genders, ages, and professional seniority. The convenience sampling technique was used to determine the sample of the study. The data of the study were collected through the Body Language Scale. Independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA from parametric tests were used to analyze the collected data. The results of the study revealed that social studies teachers have high levels of body language. Furthermore, it was concluded that there were no significant differences in the body language levels of social studies teachers in terms of gender, age, and professional seniority variables. At the end of the study, recommendations were developed for investigating the body language levels of teachers from different fields.

References

  • Ağaoğlu, E., Altınkurt, Y., Yılmaz, K., & Karaöse, T. (2012). Opinions of school administrators and teachers about proficiency of school administrators (In Kütahya). Education and Science, 37(164), 159-175. https://doi.org/10.15390/ES.2012.1035
  • Aksoy, Ş., & Şeren, M. (2018). The ways of the effects of administrators using body language and the results of the frequency of that on teachers (sample of Ankara City). Journal of Contemporary Administrative Journal, 3(5), 262-279. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/613142#470845]-613142.pdf
  • Aytekin, H. & Ateş, E. (2020). Teacher’s body language in teaching-learning process. The Journal of Academic Social Science, 12(09), 83–101. https://doi.org/10.29228/ASOS.39735
  • Bambaeeroo, F., & Shokrpour, N. (2017). The impact of the teachers’ non-verbal communication on success in teaching. Journal of Advances in Medical Education & Professionalism, 5(2), 51-59. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5346168/
  • Borg, J. (2008). Body language: 7 easy lessons to master the silent language. Pearson Education.
  • Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çakmak, E. K., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2020). Eğitimde bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri [Scientific research methods in education]. Pegem Academy Publication.
  • Caswell, C., & Neill, S. (2005). Body language for competent teachers. Routledge.
  • Çalışkan, N. & Yeşil, R. (2005). The teacher’s body language in educational process. Gazi University Kırşehir Education Faculty Journal, 6(1), 199-207. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/kefad/issue/59536/856347
  • Evans, R. W. (2004). The social studies wars: What should we teach the children?. Teachers College Press.
  • Gökçeli, S. (2013). The attitudes of hıgh school students towards the teacher’s body language course: Adana Kozan Fatih Anatolian High School case. Adiyaman University Journal of Social Sciences, 11, 543-572. https://doi.org/10.14520/adyusbd.467
  • Güleç, S., & Temel, H. (2015). Body language using skills of teacher candidates from departments of mathematics education and social studies education. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 186, 161-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.149
  • İnce, C., & Korkmaz, A. (2020). The relationship between the communication of the body language and the employee motivation; A research in Bishkek hotels. Eurasian Journal of Researches in Social and Economics, 7(5), 432-463. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/1129216
  • Johnson, E., & Ramos, E. (2020). The social studies teacher's toolbox: Hundreds of practical ideas to support your students. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kaya, E., & Bayram, H. (2021). Utilization of the research compliance matrix in educational research design and evaluation: A design based research. International Journal of Education Technology and Scientific Researches, 6(15), 887-944. http://dx.doi.org/10.35826/ijetsar.325 Kuhnke, E. (2016). Body language: Learn how to read others and communicate with confidence. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kurt, S. (2015). Communication skills of pre - school administrators. (Master’s dissertation). Onsekiz Mart University, Institute of Educational Sciences, Çanakkale, Türkiye.
  • Küçük, T. (2023). The power of body language in education: A study of teachers’ perceptions. International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies, 10(3), 275–289. https://doi.org/10.23918/ijsses.v10i3p275 Liu, C., Marchewka, J. T., Lu, J., & Yu, C. S. (2005). Beyond concern a privacy-trust-behavioral intention model of electronic commerce. Information & Management, 42(2), 289-304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2004.01.003
  • Martell, C. C. (2018). Introduction: Social studies teacher education: Problems and Possinilities. In Christopher C. M (Eds.) Social studies teacher education: Critical issue and current perspectives (pp.1-16). Information Age Publishing.
  • Miller, P. W. (2005). Body language in the classroom. Techniques: Connecting Education and Careers, 80(8), 28-30. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ720792
  • NCSS (2020). What is social studies? Retrieved from https://www.socialstudies.org/about
  • Özbent, S. (2007). Body language in the classroom. Gazi University Education Faculty Journal, 27(2), 259-289. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/gefad/issue/6750/90754
  • Özdamar, K. (2002). Paket programlarla istatistiksel veri analizi-1 [Statistical Data Analysis with Package Programs-1]. Kaan Publishing House.
  • Sajjad, T., Khan, H. F., Yasmeen, R., & Waqas, A. (2023). Language of actions: The effects of teacher's kinesics on student learning and learning environment. Journal of Education and Health Promotion 12(1). 53. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_992_22
  • Tok, M., & Temel, H. (2014). Body language scale: Validity and reliability study. Journal of Theory and Practice in Education, 10(1), 103-122. Retrieved from https://toad.halileksi.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/beden-dili-olcegi-toad.pdf
  • Yılmaz, H. (2015). Examination of interpersonal communication skills of school principles in terms of preschool teachers' views. (Master’s dissertation). Selçuk university, Institute of Social Sciences, Konya, Türkiye.

Sosyal Bilgiler Öğretmenlerinin Beden Dili Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 119 - 126, 02.01.2026

Abstract

Etkili iletişim becerilerine sahip sosyal bilgiler öğretmenleri, öğrencilerin bilişsel ve duyuşsal gelişimlerini, sosyal bilgiler dersinin doğasına uygun bir biçimde olumlu yönde etkileyebilirler. Sosyal bilgiler öğretiminde, öğrenciler tarafından rol model olarak görülen sosyal bilgiler öğretmenlerinin, sınıf içi katılımı artırmak, öğrenmenin kalıcılığını sağlamak ve etkili bir öğrenme ortamı oluşturmak amacıyla beden dilini etkili bir biçimde kullanmaları önemlidir. Bu bakış açısından hareketle, sosyal bilgiler öğretmenlerinin kullandıkları beden dili düzeylerinin belirlenmesinin önemli olduğu düşünülmüş ve bu doğrultuda bu araştırma gerçekleştirilmiştir. Nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden kesitsel tarama modeli kullanılarak yürütülen bu çalışmada, farklı cinsiyet, yaş ve mesleki kıdeme sahip sosyal bilgiler öğretmenleriyle çalışılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini belirlemede kolay ulaşılabilir örnekleme tekniğinden yararlanılmıştır. Araştırmanın verileri Beden Dili Ölçeği aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Toplanan verilerin analizinde parametrik testlerden bağımsız örneklemler t-testi ve tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları, sosyal bilgiler öğretmenlerinin beden dili düzeylerinin yüksek olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca, sosyal bilgiler öğretmenlerinin beden dili düzeylerinin cinsiyet, yaş ve mesleki kıdem değişkenleri açısından anlamlı bir farklılık göstermediği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonunda, farklı alanlardaki öğretmenlerin beden dili düzeylerinin incelenmesine yönelik öneriler geliştirilmiştir.

References

  • Ağaoğlu, E., Altınkurt, Y., Yılmaz, K., & Karaöse, T. (2012). Opinions of school administrators and teachers about proficiency of school administrators (In Kütahya). Education and Science, 37(164), 159-175. https://doi.org/10.15390/ES.2012.1035
  • Aksoy, Ş., & Şeren, M. (2018). The ways of the effects of administrators using body language and the results of the frequency of that on teachers (sample of Ankara City). Journal of Contemporary Administrative Journal, 3(5), 262-279. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/613142#470845]-613142.pdf
  • Aytekin, H. & Ateş, E. (2020). Teacher’s body language in teaching-learning process. The Journal of Academic Social Science, 12(09), 83–101. https://doi.org/10.29228/ASOS.39735
  • Bambaeeroo, F., & Shokrpour, N. (2017). The impact of the teachers’ non-verbal communication on success in teaching. Journal of Advances in Medical Education & Professionalism, 5(2), 51-59. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5346168/
  • Borg, J. (2008). Body language: 7 easy lessons to master the silent language. Pearson Education.
  • Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çakmak, E. K., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2020). Eğitimde bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri [Scientific research methods in education]. Pegem Academy Publication.
  • Caswell, C., & Neill, S. (2005). Body language for competent teachers. Routledge.
  • Çalışkan, N. & Yeşil, R. (2005). The teacher’s body language in educational process. Gazi University Kırşehir Education Faculty Journal, 6(1), 199-207. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/kefad/issue/59536/856347
  • Evans, R. W. (2004). The social studies wars: What should we teach the children?. Teachers College Press.
  • Gökçeli, S. (2013). The attitudes of hıgh school students towards the teacher’s body language course: Adana Kozan Fatih Anatolian High School case. Adiyaman University Journal of Social Sciences, 11, 543-572. https://doi.org/10.14520/adyusbd.467
  • Güleç, S., & Temel, H. (2015). Body language using skills of teacher candidates from departments of mathematics education and social studies education. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 186, 161-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.149
  • İnce, C., & Korkmaz, A. (2020). The relationship between the communication of the body language and the employee motivation; A research in Bishkek hotels. Eurasian Journal of Researches in Social and Economics, 7(5), 432-463. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/1129216
  • Johnson, E., & Ramos, E. (2020). The social studies teacher's toolbox: Hundreds of practical ideas to support your students. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kaya, E., & Bayram, H. (2021). Utilization of the research compliance matrix in educational research design and evaluation: A design based research. International Journal of Education Technology and Scientific Researches, 6(15), 887-944. http://dx.doi.org/10.35826/ijetsar.325 Kuhnke, E. (2016). Body language: Learn how to read others and communicate with confidence. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kurt, S. (2015). Communication skills of pre - school administrators. (Master’s dissertation). Onsekiz Mart University, Institute of Educational Sciences, Çanakkale, Türkiye.
  • Küçük, T. (2023). The power of body language in education: A study of teachers’ perceptions. International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies, 10(3), 275–289. https://doi.org/10.23918/ijsses.v10i3p275 Liu, C., Marchewka, J. T., Lu, J., & Yu, C. S. (2005). Beyond concern a privacy-trust-behavioral intention model of electronic commerce. Information & Management, 42(2), 289-304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2004.01.003
  • Martell, C. C. (2018). Introduction: Social studies teacher education: Problems and Possinilities. In Christopher C. M (Eds.) Social studies teacher education: Critical issue and current perspectives (pp.1-16). Information Age Publishing.
  • Miller, P. W. (2005). Body language in the classroom. Techniques: Connecting Education and Careers, 80(8), 28-30. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ720792
  • NCSS (2020). What is social studies? Retrieved from https://www.socialstudies.org/about
  • Özbent, S. (2007). Body language in the classroom. Gazi University Education Faculty Journal, 27(2), 259-289. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/gefad/issue/6750/90754
  • Özdamar, K. (2002). Paket programlarla istatistiksel veri analizi-1 [Statistical Data Analysis with Package Programs-1]. Kaan Publishing House.
  • Sajjad, T., Khan, H. F., Yasmeen, R., & Waqas, A. (2023). Language of actions: The effects of teacher's kinesics on student learning and learning environment. Journal of Education and Health Promotion 12(1). 53. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_992_22
  • Tok, M., & Temel, H. (2014). Body language scale: Validity and reliability study. Journal of Theory and Practice in Education, 10(1), 103-122. Retrieved from https://toad.halileksi.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/beden-dili-olcegi-toad.pdf
  • Yılmaz, H. (2015). Examination of interpersonal communication skills of school principles in terms of preschool teachers' views. (Master’s dissertation). Selçuk university, Institute of Social Sciences, Konya, Türkiye.
There are 24 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Suat Polat 0000-0001-9286-8840

Submission Date November 3, 2025
Acceptance Date December 31, 2025
Publication Date January 2, 2026
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Polat, S. (2026). An Investigation of Social Studies Teachers’ Body Language Levels. International Journal of Scholars in Education, 8(2), 119-126. https://doi.org/10.52134/ueader.1816494