A Quantitative Study on the Effects of School Development on Character Development

Authors: Merve Gücen

Abstract:

One of the aims of education is to educate individuals who have embraced universal moral principles and transform universal moral principles into moral values. Character education aims to educate behaviors of individuals in their mental activities to transform moral principles into moral values in their lives. As the result of this education, individuals are expected to develop positive character traits and become morally indifferent individuals. What are the characteristics of the factors that influence character education at this stage? How should character education help individuals develop positive character traits? Which methods are more effective? These questions come to mind when studying character education. Our research was developed within the framework of these questions. The aim of our study is to provide the most effective use of the education factor that affects character. In this context, we tried to explain character definition, character development, character education and the factors affecting character education using qualitative research methods. At this stage, character education programs applied in various countries were examined and a character education program consisting of Islamic values was prepared and implemented in an International Imam Hatip High School in Istanbul. Our application was carried out with the collaboration of school and families. Various seminars were organized in the school and participation of families was ensured. In the last phase of our study, we worked with the students and their families on the effectiveness of the events held during the program. In this study, it was found that activities such as storytelling and theater in character education programs were effective in recognizing wrong behaviors in individuals. It was determined that our program had a positive effect on the quality of education. It was seen that applications of this educational program affected the behavior of the employees in the educational institution.

Keywords: Character development, values education, family activities, education program.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1317238

References:

[1] Aktaş, O. (2008) Değer Eğitimi Akımlarına Genel Bir Bakış, Değerler Eğitimi Dergisi, 6(16), 9 – 27.
[2] Demirel, M. (2009) Sınıf Öğretmenlerinin ve Okul Yöneticilerinin Karakter Eğitimine İlişkin Öz Yeterlik İnançları, Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 37: 36 – 49.
[3] Ekşi, H. (2003) Temel İnsani Değerlerin Kazandırılmasında Bir Yaklaşım: Karakter Eğitimi Programı, Değerler Eğitimi Dergisi, 1(1), 79- 96.
[4] Hökelekli, H. (2009) Çocuk Genç Aile Psikolojisi ve Din. İstanbul: Değerler Eğitimi Merkezi Yayınları. s.11.
[5] Kaymakcan, R, Meydan, H. (2012), Ahlaki Karakter ve Eğitimi, II. Uluslararası Değerler ve Eğitimi Sempozyumu, Ensar Vakfı Değerler Eğitimi Merkezi, İstanbul.
[6] Kulaksızoğlu, A. (2003), Farklı Gelişen Çocuklar. İstanbul: Epsilon Yayıncılık. s.35.
[7] Lickona, T. (1991) Educating for Character: How school teach respect and responsibility New York: Bantom Books, s. 53.
[8] Lickona, T. Schaps, E. Lewis. (1996) C. Eleven Principles of Effective Character Edutain, Washington: Journal of Moral Education. 25(1).
[9] Lickona, T. (1992). Educating for character (How our schools can teach respect and resposibility). New York: Bantam Books.
[10] TDV, İslâm Ansiklopedisi, Huy section. 1998. TDV İslam ansiklopedisi, 1998, s. 256).