Research Article

Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students

Volume: 15 Number: 1 July 14, 2026
TR EN

Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students

Abstract

This study aims to examine how lower secondary students construct sustainability concepts through a Web 2.0–supported digital city design process, how they experience this process, and which conceptual challenges they encounter. Conducted within the context of Social Studies, the study addresses—across pedagogical, conceptual, and technological dimensions—the role of design-based learning supported by digital tools in developing students’ understanding of sustainable cities. The research was designed as a qualitative multiple-case study; structured observations, semi-structured interviews, and analyses of digital artefacts were employed during data collection. The data gathered were analysed using content analysis. The participants comprised 13 seventh-grade students attending a public lower secondary school in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye. The findings indicate that students perceived environmental sustainability themes (e.g., green spaces and renewable energy) as more concrete and accessible; by contrast, they reflected more abstract and multi-dimensional themes—such as accessibility, social inclusivity, and smart technologies—only to a limited extent. In addition, conceptual misconceptions regarding sustainability were found to stem from factors including a one-dimensional focus, an inability to establish systemic coherence, and designs detached from context. Overall, the results demonstrate that digital design processes meaningfully support students’ conceptual learning, their sense of environmental responsibility, and their creative thinking skills. Based on these findings, it is recommended that environmental, social, and economic dimensions be addressed in a balanced manner in the teaching of sustainability concepts. Furthermore, the effective integration of Web 2.0–based digital design environments into instructional processes is recommended in order to enhance conceptual understanding and foster environmental awareness.

Keywords

Project Number

1919B012218789

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Social Studies Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ayşegül Karabaş
0009-0001-4643-7780
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 14, 2026

Submission Date

July 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 8, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1

APA
Ayantaş, T., & Karabaş, A. (2026). Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi, 15(1), 512-531. https://doi.org/10.30703/cije.1751867
AMA
1.Ayantaş T, Karabaş A. Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students. CIJE. 2026;15(1):512-531. doi:10.30703/cije.1751867
Chicago
Ayantaş, Tolgahan, and Ayşegül Karabaş. 2026. “Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students”. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi 15 (1): 512-31. https://doi.org/10.30703/cije.1751867.
EndNote
Ayantaş T, Karabaş A (July 1, 2026) Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi 15 1 512–531.
IEEE
[1]T. Ayantaş and A. Karabaş, “Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students”, CIJE, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 512–531, July 2026, doi: 10.30703/cije.1751867.
ISNAD
Ayantaş, Tolgahan - Karabaş, Ayşegül. “Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students”. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi 15/1 (July 1, 2026): 512-531. https://doi.org/10.30703/cije.1751867.
JAMA
1.Ayantaş T, Karabaş A. Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students. CIJE. 2026;15:512–531.
MLA
Ayantaş, Tolgahan, and Ayşegül Karabaş. “Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students”. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 512-31, doi:10.30703/cije.1751867.
Vancouver
1.Tolgahan Ayantaş, Ayşegül Karabaş. Digital Sustainability Education in the Context of Social Studies: Web 2.0–Supported Urban Designs of Lower Secondary Students. CIJE. 2026 Jul. 1;15(1):512-31. doi:10.30703/cije.1751867

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