Defining the levels of individual innovativeness and digital nativity of physical education and sport teachers

Individual innovation has an important place in raising conscious individuals with innovative thinking that enable a country to develop in social, cultural and economic fields. Individuals should always be open to new ideas. In this case, individuals who are open to new thoughts will try to develop themselves in a positive way. The fact that individuals are aware of the skills they have acquired as a result of the education they have received causes them to be successful both professionally and academically. A generation that opens its eyes in a digital environment is defined as digital natives and can actively use technology. Digital natives, who have different personality traits, easily adapt to new technology and do not feel alienated when using technology. Digital natives, who perceive technology as an integral part of their lives, cause the educational system activities to be taken out of the traditional environment and transferred to the electronic environment with its unique effect. In our research, it was aimed to determine the relationship between the two by determining the individual innovativeness and digital nativeness levels of physical education and sports teachers working in schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education. The universe of the research consists of physical education and sports teachers working in 81 provinces in Turkey. The sample group consisted of 1046 physical education and sports teachers working in schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in our country. In the collection of data, the scales were delivered to the teachers by hand and via the web portal, and feedback was received. Voluntary participation was ensured by reading the informed consent form to the research group. Personal information form, Individual Innovation Scale and Digital Nativeness Evaluation Scale were used in the research. T-test and Anova tests were used in the analysis of the data obtained in the study. When the correlation values between individual innovativeness and digital nativism were examined, a positive and weak correlation was found between individual innovativeness and digital nativism scale. In addition, it has been determined that there is a low level of positive correlation between the general individual innovativeness scale and technology and upbringing, being comfortable with multitasking, using visuals in the communication process, and finally asking for quick feedback and answers. In other words, the increase in the individual innovativeness levels of physical education and sports teachers also increases the levels of digital nativeness. As a result of the research, it is seen that physical education and sports teachers define themselves as innovative, and it will enable those who receive technology training from physical education and sports teachers to benefit from the tools used in the classroom environment efficiently. It has been concluded that physical education and sports teachers, especially those who have graduate degrees, have high levels of both individual innovativeness and digital nativeness. Keywords: Physical Education and Sports, Teaching, Digital Nativeness, Individual Innovation