Interest and awareness to historical places of preservice teachers in Kırşehir surroundings

It is possible to define local history as the common culture created by people living in the past in a geographic boundary in a particular region. Each community has its own culture but can be influenced by each other. The communities that have lived and continue to live in certain places form a culture unique to that region. They form concrete and abstract remains of that culture, such as life forms, wars, peace, funerals, works of art and historical structures. In this way it creates the local history of the region. The purpose of this research is to determine the level of teacher candidates' interest and awareness about historical places in Kırşehir and its surroundings. The population of this research is the candidate teachers who study at the Faculty of Education of Ahi Evran University in Kırşehir in the academic year of 2017-2018 and the sample of this study consists of the 1-4th grade candidate teachers of the Department of Social Sciences and Turkish Education at the same period and faculty. Mixed methods were used in the study. In the process of obtaining quantitative data, screening method was used, and phenomenology was used while obtaining the qualitative data. In the analysis of the quantitative data, percentage (%) tables, correlation analysis (pearson), one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression analysis and t-test for independent groups were used. Content analysis was performed for the interview form in the analysis of qualitative data. As a result; Cacabey Medrese, which is in the middle of the busiest street in city center, is among the most well-known historical places where candidate teachers know that they are in their immediate surroundings. This is followed by Ahi Evran-ı Veli Complex. Afterwards, it comes Aşık Paşa Tomb, which is also on the intercity road and known as the passenger bus stop. Additionally, Kaman Kalehöyük, Kırşehir Kalehöyük, Mucur Underground City and Kesikköprü are among the most popular places among these teachers. However; these candidates state that they know Cemele Castle, Lale Mosque, Kepez Underground City, Hacıbey Mansion and the Çarşı Mosque less than the other ones. While learning about the historical places around them, prospective teachers are particularly interested in researching those places, analyzing pamphlets / signage, and benefiting from instructors. While the interest and awareness levels to the historical places in Kırşehir and its surrounding places do not show a significant difference according to gender, there is a noticeable difference considering the other variables.