Plain English Meaning
Awareness means the student has noticed that something is there. They are not studying it, judging it, or acting on it yet — they have just registered that it exists.
Full Definition
In the affective domain of learning, awareness is the lowest level of receiving — the stage at which a learner simply notices that something exists or is happening, without yet attending to it closely or forming a response. It is the first step in developing an attitude, value, or appreciation toward a subject.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation instructor material about attitudes and habits, where it describes the first step: the student notices an issue before acting on it.
Derivation
From Old English 'gewær' meaning 'watchful' or 'on guard.' The aviation/instructional use keeps that original sense: the student is alert enough to register the thing, but nothing more is required yet.