Social Studies and Geography Teacher Candidates' Views on Coronavirus (COVID 19) and Onl ine Education Process

Abstract

I n Turkey, all universities started to carry out formal theoretical courses using online education methods after COVID
19 pandemic . The aim of this study is to determine the views of Social Studies and Geography teacher candidates about
COVID 19 and online education processes. To do so, a qualitative research method was used. The research working
group, in the school year 2019 2020, were those studying to be Social Studies and Geography teachers at a Faculty of
Education in a Turkish univ ersity. A total of 37 teacher candidates participated in the study and a questionnaire
consisting of open ended questions developed by the researcher was used to obtain their views. A content analysis
process was used to analyze the data. According to the findings from the study, teacher candidates stated they were
more affected by this process because they were in their final year of study. They explained the reason for this situation
as being related to their internship being incomplete and their dreams of graduation being negatively affected.
Furthermore, the lack of adequate internet access and connection problems experienced amongst the teacher
candidates had a negative impact on their experience of online education processes. Therefore, according to t he views
of teacher candidates. the process of considering the services, systems and infrastructure offered by the university
needs to occur for effective online education processes to be developed. For example, providing training to Faculty
members and pr oviding facilities such as computers to minimize technical problems and solve problems related to lack
of access. It is recommended that universities should improve their infrastructure and plan to train lecturers and
teachers for online education processe s. To do so will benefit both the experience of, and minimize concerns about,
online education processes.