Social Studies teachers' perceptions of Covid-19 epidemic process and distance education

This research was conducted to determine the perceptions of Social Studies teachers about the Covid-19 epidemic process and distance education.The research was designed in the pattern of phenomenology (phenomenology), one of the qualitative research methods. The study group of the research consists of 28 Social Studies teachers working in public secondary schools in Afyonkarahisar city center.Maximum variation sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used to determine the study group.As a data collection tool, a semi-structured interview form prepared by taking expert opinion was used, and the data were collected through semi-structured interviews.The data obtained were analyzed by content analysis, presented in tables and presented with frequencies, and supported by direct quotations.As a result of the research; Social Studies teachers' thoughts on the Covid-19 epidemic, their views on the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic on the education system, their views on teaching Social Studies course with Covid-19 distance education, the problems and solution suggestions they experienced during the distance education process applied in the Covid-19 epidemic and the Covid -19 epidemic. Afterwards, the themes of opinions about the changes that will occur in education life have been reached.Social Studies teachers evaluated the Covid-19 epidemic and the distance education process in terms of students, teachers, education-teaching process, and face-to-face education.Social Studies teachers; They emphasized that the motivation of students and teachers who were away from school due to the Covid-19 epidemic decreased and their psychology was negatively affected.Social Studies teachers, who emphasized the positive features such as the efficient use of technology, the widespread use of EBA and the introduction of different distance education applications into education life, together with the necessity of distance education during the Covid-19 epidemic process, said that distance education could be permanent in the next period, and that Covid-19 and other epidemics could soon be an educational system. stated that they could enter their programs. Keyword: Covid-19 pandemic, distance education, social studies teacher, social studies lesson, teacher.