The evaluation of the student teachers' attitudes toward Internet and democracy

The aims of this study are to find out (1) how student teachers' attitudes toward Internet affect their attitudes toward democracy, (2) how student teachers' attitudes toward democracy are in terms of their purpose of using Internet and (3) benefits provided by the Internet. The research is carried out in Ziya Gokalp Education Faculty at Dicle University during 2005-2006 academic year by the participation of 440 student teachers in total. Likert Type Attitude Scale Toward the Use of Internet, was used to determine the student teachers' attitudes toward the Internet and The Attitude Scale Toward Democracy was used to find out the attitudes of the student teachers toward democracy. The data are analyzed by using variance analysis and correlation (Pearson) techniques. Scheffe test is used for significance test. A positive significant correlation was determined between subscales (using Internet in teaching, using Internet in research, liking to use Internet in teaching, using Internet in communication and using Internet in sharing information) of attitude scale towards using Internet and subscales (inclination to democracy, devotion to democracy and qualities of democracy) of attitude scale towards democracy. However, a negative significant correlation is found between the attitudes of student teachers toward using Internet in teaching, using Internet in research, liking to use Internet in teaching and negative view to democracy. According to student teachers' purpose of using Internet, the difference between their attitudes towards devotion to democracy and qualities of democracy is significant. In addition, the difference between their attitudes toward devotion to democracy is significant in terms of the benefits provided by Internet. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.