Opinions of ICT Teachers about Information Technology Course Implementations: A Social Media Analysis

Abstract

The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is increasing in education. ICT teachers have important role and responsibilities in ICT world. In this study, the problems of ICT teachers and their suggested solutions that stated by them were evaluated by analyzing their messages and shared information in Internet and social media. Document analysis was used as qualitative data collection method for this study. The research group was consisting of the ICT teachers that have worked in secondary Turkish Schools from July 2012 to July 2013 who used social media. In the study, teachers’ opinions and suggested solutions in social media (forums, blogs, Facebook and Twitter) had been obtained and categorized in six area as course compulsory, curriculum, personal rights, job definitions, Fatih Project, ICT infrastructure and innovative ideas. The data have been evaluated categorically in frequency and percentage. At the end of the study; it was evaluated that the solution suggestions provide a great asset in education for innovation and changes. In this context, problems about employee personal rights (f=61 and %31.9) have been the most important one and the suggested solutions express legal arrangements to be made. In the second place, obligatory course (f=49 and %29.9) was stated. Inadequacy of the curriculum and the need for update (f=28 and %14.6) was the third most discussed topic. Progressive applications and renovations (f=23 and %12.1) were in the fourth place. In the fifth place, it was expressed that the success probability of the Fatih Project (f=21 and % 11) was low in the current situation and the ICT teachers must be included in the project. Lastly it was seen that the infrastructure and support (f=18 and %9.5) were required for development