Abstract:

The study aims to determine the views of teacher candidates towards using Facebook as a part of the course of Instructional Technology and Material Design. The study designed as a qualitative study, conducted in line with phenomenological design. Participants of the research were 87 teacher candidates who took Instructional Technology and Material Design course in the Education Faculty of Anadolu University in the academic year of 2014-2015 spring term. The data of the study was collected through structured interviews with open-ended questionnaire. According to the findings of the research, it was concluded that teacher candidates’ views on the use of Facebook application in the teaching-learning process were positive. Teacher candidates stated that; they had quick and easy access to their instructor, reached the needed information quickly, they were aware of information related to the course. At the same time teacher candidates stated that during the online consultation they received quick feedback which helped them to see their errors and solve their problems. Teacher candidates expressed that they allowed easy communication with their instructor through the application and it caused intimacy between student and instructor and saved time. When the benefit status of information shared on the Facebook group was considered, it was revealed that teacher candidates most benefited from the information given about the content of the course followed by material examples and reminders about homework. It was also found that majority of teacher candidates intend to use such applications during their teaching process.  Key words: Instructional Technology and Material Design course, Facebook, Teacher candidates

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