A practical example for pre-service teachers for a more qualified sustainable development education

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to reveal the impact of sustainable development education (SDE) prepared and implemented by researchers on pre-service teachers, on the level of awareness of sustainable development, and to identify the views of pre-service teachers regarding the education they receive. The study group consisted of 59 social studies pre-service teachers studying at a state university in Turkey during the fall semester of the 2019–2020 academic year. In the research, a mixed-method approach was used, which involved the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods. The research findings indicate that after the 15-week SDE, the awareness level of pre-service teachers regarding sustainable development had increased. It was observed that pre-service teachers gained awareness about the concept of sustainable development, and they provided positive feedback on the education they had received. Based on the findings it can be said that it is important for pre-service teachers in all disciplines to gain awareness of sustainable development before beginning their teaching careers.