Identifying variables that predict students’ geographical inquiry skills during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to observe the predictive power of the practices carried out in distance geography courses conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic in students’ self-efficacy in geographical inquiry skills. Fourteen variables were determined for this purpose. In this context, questions covering the individual characteristics of the students, systems followed by the students (synchronous-asynchronous), students’ interests in the course and their follow-ups, and their learning experiences were included. “The Self-Assessment Scale for Geographic Inquiry Process Skills” was used to determine the students’ self-efficacy levels. The data were collected from 493 students attending 11th and 12th grades in eighteen high schools in the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. The screening model was used in the research and the data were analyzed using multiple hierarchical regression methods. The results of the study showed that nine variables statistically predicted 89% of the total variance. In order of relative importance, grade, school type, and gender are the first and most important predictor variables. Students’ asking questions, doing homework, and using supplementary materials come next. Based on this, it is recommended that teachers take on the responsibility of raising their students as individuals who are independent and learned to learn.