The school system plays a crucial role in preparing students for everyday challenges and developing competencies for independent living. Home economics education integrates various fields such as nutritional, financial, health, and environmental literacy, enabling better resource management and informed decision-making. Home economics is defined as an interdisciplinary field that includes household activity management, financial planning, and a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, the subject of home economics fosters key competencies that contribute to a higher quality of life, healthy living habits, and sustainable societal development.
The purpose of this master's thesis is to investigate which life skills teachers prioritize in home economics classes and which approaches, methods, and teaching forms they use. Special attention was given to identifying the life skills teachers consider the most important and the most challenging to develop in students. The empirical part of the research is based on a qualitative approach, using interviews as a data collection method. The study included eight teachers who teach home economics or elective subjects related to this field.
The research results indicate that home economics teachers deliberately develop practical, social, organizational, critical thinking, and healthy lifestyle skills. Teachers emphasize that home economics helps students acquire key competencies for independent living. They observe that students often lack practical experience, so they strive to incorporate hands-on activities into various modules, especially in the field of nutrition. In addition to practical skills, teachers highlight the importance of social skills such as responsibility, independence, and organization. However, they face challenges such as low student motivation, content complexity, and a lack of prior knowledge. The study found that home economics teachers use diverse approaches, methods, and teaching forms, including experiential learning, project-based learning, collaborative learning, and learning through play.
Home economics education plays a crucial role in developing life skills essential for students' quality and independent lives. Teachers recognize the importance of fostering practical, social, and organizational skills and address challenges by employing a variety of pedagogical approaches.
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