Deniz Deryakulu

Analysis of computer teachers’ online discussion forum messages about their occupational problems

This study, using content analysis technique, examined the types of job-related problems that the Turkish computer teachers experienced and the types of social support provided by reciprocal discussions in an online forum. Results indicated that role conflict, inadequate teacher induction policies, lack of required technological infrastructure and technical support, and the status of computer subject in school curriculum were the most frequently mentioned problems. In addition, 87.9% of the messages were identified as providing emotional support, while 3.1% messages were identified as providing instrumental support. It is concluded that content analysis technique provides an invaluable tool to understand the nature of communication and social interaction patterns among users in online environments. CMC in education should not only be considered to be a tool for content delivery and instructional interaction, but also a feedback mechanism and a platform for professional support, as well as an informal learning environment.

Development and Evaluation of a Case-Based Digital Learning Tool about Children's Mathematical Thinking for Elementary School Teachers (L-TEST).

It is important for teachers of mathematics to know how pupils react to certain mathematical situations and what these reactions imply, in order to design more effective instructional environments based on their learning needs. This study reports the development processes of a digital learning tool (Learning Tool for Elementary School Teachers (L‐TEST)) that shows childrens mathematical thinking for the ages of 4–11 years across certain problem situations. L‐TEST is designed as a support tool to be used in teacher education. A case‐based instructional model was used in designing the instructional tool. Video recordings were digitised to provide a rich environment where learners observe exemplary cases. These exemplified videos included childrens mathematical development in the subjects of numbers and shapes, combined with discussions in line with the current research findings. Finally, a usability test for the learning tool was carried out.

Intrapair Similarity of Computer Self-Efficacy in Turkish Adolescent Twins.

The purpose of this study is to investigate genetic and environmental influences on computer self-efficacy. A total of 165 Turkish twin-pairs participated in the study. Participants’ mean age was 12.45 (SD = 1.82). The results of paired t-test comparisons showed no significant differences in monozygotic, and both same-sex and opposite-sex dizygotic twin-pairs’ levels of computer self-efficacy. Correlations were calculated to test intrapair similarity for computer self-efficacy. The monozygotic correlation for computer self-efficacy was .443 and the same-sex dizygotic correlation was .472, suggesting no genetic contribution to computer self-efficacy but providing support for environmental influences. Interpretations of results and potential directions for future research are presented.

Eğitim Politikalarındaki Değişimlerin Bilişim Teknolojileri Öğretmenlerinin Duyguları Üzerindeki Etkisi

The aim of the present study is to examine emotional changes of Information and Communication Technology teachers during the times when alterations take place in their profession in Turkish education system drawing on online discussion forums. In this study, as a qualitative method, the case study method was adopted and the data were obtained from different resources. Firstly, a total of 302,617 online messages which were posted on the online forums between 2005 and 2015 in “Computer ICT Forum” (http://www.bilgisayarbilisim.net/) were analyzed. Then, in order to identify the decisions taken by Ministry of National Education (MoNE) which directly or indirectly influence ICT teachers, the circular notes, instructions, regulations and official correspondings of the institutions between the years of 1995 and 2015 were also reviewed. At the last stage of the study, semi-structured interviews with 30 volunteer participants from the online discussion forum were done to get deeper information about their emotions. Content analysis method was used for qualitative data analysis. The results of the study reveal that the decisions which are influential most in emotions of the ICT teachers in 11 years are related to a project titled as Movement of Enhancing Opportunities and Improving Technology (FATIH), changes in the hours of the ICT course, changes in assessment method of the course, regulational changes in position of ICT coordinators, in getting positions at the schools as an ICT teacher, in ICT teacher appointments and in changing the duty places of the ICT teachers. While these the aforementioned changes were happening, the teachers mostly had feelings of anger, sadness, boredom, desperation and insurgence, and recently, they have had stronger feelings of disappointment, pessimism and burn out because of what they were exposed to experience as an ICT teacher. Furthermore, when analysing the future expectations of ICT teachers, it is observed that all suggestions are based on the desire to fulfill their professions in a more respectful, valuable and trouble-free way and that they desire to feel like being teachers as they are. If necessary measures are not taken and if they are not supported, their negative emotional state will continue to constitute a major impediment before their successful and productive continuation of their professions.