Abstract:
The study sought to examine students‟ perceptions of the methods teaching
Social Studies and its influence on their learning outcomes in junior high
schools within the Cape Coast Metropolis. The descriptive survey design was
used in the conduct of the study. A sample size of 160 respondents were
carefully chosen through the disproportionate sampling procedure.
Questionnaires were used to gather data from respondents. Secondary data
were also collected on students‟ academic performance. The data collected
were analyzed using means and standard deviations as well as multiple linear
regression. The findings of the study revealed that, students generally had
positive perceptions about the methods used in teaching Social Studies. Again,
the study revealed that teachers used the appropriate methods in teaching
Social Studies; that is, student-centered and teacher-centered methods.
Students preferred student–centered methods to teacher-centered methods.
Finally, the study indicated that, students‟ perceptions of Social Studies
teaching method was a significant positive predictor of students‟ learning
outcomes. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that circuit
supervisors in the Cape Coast Metropolis should organize seminars and
workshops once a while for Social Studies teachers to consider the current
trends of teaching Social Studies in the classroom
