Geographic Consciousness in Sustainable Education: Students' Views

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find out effectiveness of the education given on this study by means of the mediating role of geographic consciousness for the management dimension of natural resources. The study is a qualitative research designed as a case study. Study participants consist of a total of 50 students attending the 11th and 12th grades in Sivas province. Participants were selected with sampling method. Study data were collected with a semi-structured interview form. The data collected in the interviews with the students were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive analysis techniques. It was found out that students associate the concept of geographic consciousness with geographical knowledge; whereas other associated expressions including understanding and prediction of the universe and consciousness were seen to receive far less emphasis. The resources referred to by students to increase geographic consciousness were listed in an order of importance starting with subject teacher followed by geography lesson. In this connection, effective teaching of geography by teachers can play a role in increasing geographic awareness. As another sub-topic of study, benefits of geographic consciousness were reported by students as having knowledge of geography, increasing the general knowledge and developing environmental consciousness.

Keywords: geography education, geographic consciousness, sustainable education