Examining the perceptions of teacher candidates regarding digital environment and digital waste concepts

This research aims to examine teacher candidates' perceptions of the concepts of the digital environment and digital waste. Combination (variation) design, one of the basic mixed research methods, was used in the research process. With the combining pattern, qualitative and quantitative data can be handled differently. Quantitative findings obtained in many studies in the field of educational sciences often explain the general tendencies and relationship levels of the participants (Karasar, 2011). Qualitative findings, on the other hand, provide researchers with a more flexible research environment in determining deeper and personal views. For this reason, combining quantitative and qualitative data on a common denominator positively affects the validity, reliability and scope of the study (Acar, 2017). The research sample consists of 340 teacher candidates studying in various departments of the education faculty of a state university in the Black Sea Region in the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. "Personal Information Form", "Digital Environment Perception Scale", "Digital Waste Perception Scale", "Word Association Test", and "Semi-structured Open-Ended Interview Questions" were used as data collection tools in the research. SPSS 25.0 and SPSS AMOS 24.0 programs were used to analyse the quantitative data obtained. According to the findings obtained in the study, it was determined that the perceptions of the pre-service teachers about the concept of a digital environment did not reveal a significant difference according to gender, class level, department and monthly expenditure level, but only in terms of the place of residence variable. It was determined that the pre-service teachers' perceptions about the concept of digital waste significantly differed only in terms of the gender variable. In addition, it was determined that there is a positive relationship between pre-service teachers' perceptions of the digital environment and digital waste. In line with the findings obtained as a result of the research, it was suggested that the subjects of the digital environment and digital waste should be added to the curriculum of the faculties that train teacher candidates. In this context, some projects and practical lessons should be given to them, and out-of-school learning environments should be provided.