Learning Through Digital Stories for Safe School Environment

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of digital stories in the learning-based themes of safe schools and to examine the perceptions of special educational needs in safe school environments. Training were carried out with informative videos created through the Distance Education and Information Technology Center (UZEBIM) for principals and teachers-in-charge, and the effectiveness of this process was evaluated through reflective opinion forms. In addition to this, an evaluation form was presented to the prospective special education teachers to obtain their opinions and evaluate the effectiveness of digital stories at safe schools. A total of 100 prospective teachers participated in the evaluation of the impact of digital stories on their learning about safe school environments. Digital stories regarding safe schools become an important source of information in creating a safe school environment more rapidly and efficiently. In line with the interviews, it was observed that the awareness of safe school environments was increased and the digital dimensions of safe school environments were internalized through digital stories. Due to the raising awareness in the COVID-19 process, it was revealed that the schools did not have sufficient safe school characteristics and all stakeholders should take preventive measures in coordination to establish a safe school environment.

Keywords: COVID−19; animation; digital story; safe school environment; special education.