Social studies teachers' opinions about the "Disaster Awareness" course

Purpose: The aim of this research is to get the opinions of social studies teachers on how to make the course more productive for students by taking advantage of both their equipment and experience regarding the "Disaster Awareness" course. Method: Phenomenological research design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. The study group of the research consists of a sample of 9 social studies teachers working in schools where the elective "Disaster Awareness" course is selected and taught from public schools affiliated to Bingöl Provincial Directorate of National Education in the 2023-2024 Academic Year. While Evren is a social studies teacher teaching this course in Turkey, my sample was selected using the easily accessible sampling method. Since it is important to benefit from the experiences of the participants in the research in the phenomenology design, the research was conducted using a semi-structured interview form after the teachers spent 6 months in the disaster awareness course. The data obtained was analyzed with content analysis. Findings: In the study, almost all of the teachers stated that the achievements of the social studies course were insufficient in terms of disaster education. They emphasized the positive effects of the disaster awareness course on the measures to be taken against disasters. It has been determined that the specific aims of the disaster awareness curriculum are seen as positive to create disaster awareness. They stated that it is important to use materials for this course, especially textbooks. They made statements about increasing the disaster training and in-service training in undergraduate programs of social studies teachers who will teach this course. Result: According to the results of this research, the teachers who participated in the research saw the Social Studies Curriculum as insufficient in terms of disaster education gains and stated that more gains should be added to create disaster awareness in students and that these should be given in a spiral manner at different grade levels. According to the opinions of the teachers, it can be said that they see the necessity and importance of this course positively since we are a country where disasters occur frequently. Again, from the opinions of the participants, the necessary conclusions were reached about the materials, methods and techniques to be used in this course, and the necessary conclusions were reached about the competencies that teachers who will teach this course should have. Thanks to this course, it has been concluded that a society will be formed with individuals who have gained the necessary skills against disasters and who are resilient and conscious against disasters. Key Words: Social studies, social studies teaching, disaster, disaster education, disaster awareness