Social studies teachers' perspectives on disaster risk reduction education in social studies education

Social Studies education raises students' awareness of the problems they will face in real life and educates them as individuals who are prepared and able to find effective solutions to societal challenges. The course covers important events that deeply affect society, especially disasters, so that students understand and reflect on these events in depth. In order to create awareness and preparedness for the frequent disasters in our country, teachers in the Social Studies education inform and prepare students about disaster risks. The aim of this study is to determine social studies teachers' views on disaster risk reduction education in social studies courses and their practices in this context. Basic qualitative research, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. The research data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with 19 social studies teachers working in Edirne. These data were qualitatively evaluated using content analysis method. As a result of the study, teachers stated that disaster risk reduction education is an important topic that should be addressed in social studies education. However, it was pointed out that this topic was not sufficiently covered in the course outcomes and textbooks. In addition, it was emphasized that the use of materials simulating disasters and technology in disaster risk reduction education helps students to better understand abstract disaster topics by making them concrete. It was also stated that families should be involved in disaster risk reduction trainings organized within the framework of social studies course and activities should be planned in this direction. Based on the findings of the study, various suggestions for practitioners and researchers were presented.