The evalution of the effect of geography education in high schools on national identity awareness according to students' idea

The aim of this research is to put foward the effect of geography education in high schools on national identity awareness according to students? idea. The participated students in the study whose views about the effect of Geography lesson are examined on creating awareness for national identity, the difference of opinions are put forth according to the students school types that they are attending, the fields of study and their sex variables. Screening model was used in this study. The study samples compose 481 secondary school students who are studying in different fields in six different types of high schools in the 12th grade in the 2012-2013 academic in Konya city center. In order to find out the views of students, a questionnaire consisting of 29 questions developed by the researcher was used . The data obtained was analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) computer program. To put forth the differences among the groups, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests statistical methods were used that are non-parametric. According to the findings of the research of students observations, significant differences were found statistically in the type of school education, the variables of the study area and gender variation. Between the gained national identity knowledge with the duration of Geography courses for students and for the role of positive effect of geography courses in creating awareness for national identity has been found out parallel.Based on the students' opinions,it is concluded that geography lesson has an important role in creating awareness of national identity. Keywords: Geography Education, National Identity Awareness