Using soci̇al networks in education and the role of teachers' profesional development

In this study, the use of social networks in the learning - teaching environment and the role of teachers in professional development are investigated. It is important for teachers to innovate and improve themselves professionally. Professional development has different applications. Today, informal environments are used for professional development and information technology offers important opportunities. Social networks are one of the favorable environments that can be used for professional development. Teachers have the opportunity to increase their knowledge, skills and competencies through social networks. A mixed method (sequential transformative design) was used in which the quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed sequentially. Quantitative data of the study were obtained from 258 branch teachers who worked in the official secondary schools affiliated to the Nevşehir Provincial Directorate of National Education in the academic year of 2016/2017. Two different tools were used as data collection tools. The form developed by the researcher was used to collect quantitative data. Through the quantitative data collection, a section consisting of personal information of the participants and a scale consisting of 3 factors and a total of 24 items were prepared to ensure that the collected data were collected for the research problem. A semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher and involving 8 open-ended questions was used for the collection of qualitative data. For the validity of the scale, first the expert opinion was taken and then the exploratory factor analysis was done. The obtained data were analyzed by frequency, percentage values, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, independent sample t test and variance analysis test. It was observed that teachers were active in using social networks and they were inclined to contribute to reaching content, analyzing and contributing contents to social networking groups. Teachers have been using social networking teaching methods and techniques in their own branches, and in the professional sense they are in the act of following current issues. Teachers interviewed indicate that they contribute to the professional development of social networks. They also expressed that they made various transfers to the learning-teaching environment through social networks. Based on research findings, it has been found out that teachers contribute positively to social networking groups and their professional development.