Disaster Data Centre—An Innovative Educational Tool for Disaster Reduction through Education in Schools

Lekkas Efthymis^1*, Salachoris Michael², Grambas Alexia¹, Plessas Panagiotis², Alexoudi Vassiliki¹, Valadaki Kate¹, Plessas Spyros¹

¹Department of Dynamic, Tectonic and Applied Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
²Geoset Consultants for the Development, GeoSet Ltd., GeoInformation Consulting Company, Athens, Greece.

DOI: 10.4236/jpee.2014.29006                

Abstract

During the last decades, mankind has suffered from devastation caused by natural disasters and technological accidents of increased frequency and children are among the most vulnerable population group, especially those attending school during times of disaster. The importance of education in promoting and enabling disaster risk reduction has already been identified by researchers. In this paper “Disaster Date Center (DDC)” is presented, a new, powerful and innovative tool for the study of and education on disasters. One noteworthy application of DDC is the educational and public awareness tool in the form of e-learning.

Keywords

Disaster, Disaster Awareness, Disaster Reduction Education, e-Learning

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Birkmann, J. (2006) Measuring Vulnerability to Natural Hazards. United Nations University, New Delhi.
[2]	Wisner, B. (2006) Let Our Children Teach Us. A Review of the Role of Education and Knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction. Books for Change.
[3]	McClure, J., Walkey, F. and Allen, M. (1999) When Earthquake Damage Is Seen as Prevent-able: Attributions, Locus of Control and Attitudes to Risk. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 48, 239-256. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.1999.tb00060.x
[4]	Mishra, S. and Suar, D. (2007) Do Lessons People Learn Determine Disaster Cognition and Preparedness? Psychology Developing Societies, 19, 143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/097133360701900201
[5]	Shaw, R., Shuwaku, K. and Takeuchi, Y. (2011) Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management, Volume 7 Disaster Education. 1st Edition, Emerald Group Publishing Ltd., Bingley.
[6]	Eiser, J.R., Bostrom, A. and Burton, I. (2012) Risk Interpretation and Action: A Conceptual Framework for Responses to Natural Hazards. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 1, 5-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2012.05.002
[7]	International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (2011) Public Awareness and Public Education for Disaster Risk Reduction: A Guide. 302200 E 06/2011.