The Impact of a Game-based Teaching Approach on Developing Disaster Awareness in Social Studies Classes

This study investigated the effects of game-supported education and gamification techniques on students’ learning of earthquake awareness and protection methods. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test control group model. The study was conducted with 5th grade students in Balıkesir, and data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Activities such as the “Earthquake Bag Preparation Game,” “I'm Prepared: Before, During, and After the Earthquake,” and “Earthquake Hunt” significantly improved students’ knowledge of earthquake preparedness. Additionally, the study observed positive outcomes in the development of essential skills for responding to earthquakes during and after such events. The findings indicate that gamified education is an effective tool for raising awareness and promoting learning on critical topics such as disaster preparedness. It is recommended that future research explore the long-term effects of game-based learning across different age groups and educational levels. Furthermore, supporting teachers with appropriate materials and resources is essential to facilitate the wider adoption of these methods in schools”.