Title: Are Prospective Elementary School Teachers’ Social Studies Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Related to Their Learning Approaches in a Social Studies Teaching Methods Course?
Abstract: This study aimed to contribute to the growing literature on learning approaches and teacher self-efficacy beliefs by examining associations between prospective elementary school teachers' learning approaches in a social studies teaching methods course and their social studies teaching efficacy beliefs.One hundred ninety-two prospective elementary school teachers for grades 1-4 participated in this study at the school of education at a university in Turkey.Findings showed that the deep learning approach in a social studies teaching methods course was a significant and positive contributor to future teachers' social studies teaching efficacy beliefs.The findings highlight the importance of stimulating deep learning approaches to improve teaching efficacy.