Are science education students sufficiently aware of COVID 19

Abstract

This study aims to examine students’ level of awareness about COVID-19 by revealing their opinions about the issue. The data of the study was collected in May 2020. To this end, a questionnaire was carried out with 97 students studying in a Science Education program in a faculty of education in the west of Turkey. The data were collected via the internet and to obtain data, a questionnaire with four open-ended questions was designed and used by the researcher. The data were analysed through descriptive analysis. Based on the results obtained, it was revealed that as far as the precautions the students personally take are concerned, the highest frequency values were observed to be in the main category of "Paying attention to hygiene”. In addition, it was revealed that COVID-19 had a huge negative effect on life in Turkey and the world, and the greatest adverse effect turned out to be on "Economy". It was found out that after COVID-19, students’ lives changed in many different ways. The findings in this study present important and useful information for researchers in terms of students' awareness of the issue and the solutions they come up with. In addition, since the students' opinions are examined from a wide perspective, it is believed that the methodological data analysis will contribute to the related literature and future studies.