An Analysis of Obstacles in Social Study At Primary School Levels

Abstract

Learning social study has become one social life supply for students. There are some discrepancies in the process of teaching-learning this study which impede the success of the learning goals. The research was conductued in grade 5 of Sekolah Dasar Negeri 4 Jurangrejo, Sragen Regency. The aim of the research is to explore the obstacles in teaching the social study at primary school levels. A study-case method was used in this reasearch. The data was collected by observing the learning process, analyzing the teaching materials, and analyzing the students’ test scores. The data collected was then analyzed using interactive analysis (Miles and Huberman). The results are 1) the books used weren’t interesting enough as there were too many theories and there were only few pictures which encourage the students to think critically; 2) Teachers tended to be teacher-centered where they dominated the class with their explanation and having limited interactive session; 3) Students tended to memorize the theories; 4) Having limited teaching medias, the teachers made the learning process becames abstract, while primary-school students need to have activities which encourage their way of thinking from concrete into abstract. These obstacles need to be solved as soon as possible by changing the teaching method and teaching materials. Therefore, an innovation which suits primary school students’ character is needed to create a meaningful learning process.

Keywords: obstacles, social science study, primary school