Acta Didactica Napocensia
Volume 10 Number 4, pages 93-107
Published: 25 December 2017
Internet Addiction Levels and
Problem-Solving Skills in the Teaching Profession: An Investigation
Emin İbili
Abstract. In this research,
the relationship between Internet addiction levels among teaching candidates
and their problem-solving aptitude and self-efficacy perceptions towards the
teaching profession was investigated. In addition, the effects of gender,
department, Internet use and sporting habits on the Internet addiction,
problem-solving skills and self-efficacy perceptions among teaching candidates
were examined. The sample in this study comprised final-grade teaching
candidates who were in the graduation phase. Statistical analysis of the data
was conducted with the SPSS 22.0 computer program. According to the results,
there was a moderate negative relationship between the Internet addiction level
among the teaching candidates and weak self-efficacy perceptions and
problem-solving skills, while there was a positively higher correlation between
self-efficacy perceptions and problem-solving skills in the sample. Male
subjects’ Internet addiction levels were significantly higher than those of
their female counterparts. However, no gender influence was observed on the
problem-solving skills of prospective teachers and their proficiency regarding
professional competence. The use of the Internet for entertainment purposes
influenced problem-solving skills among teaching candidates to a negative
extent, resulting in Internet dependency. Teaching candidates who used the
Internet for research purposes, however, showed a higher level of proficiency
and problem-solving skills appropriate to their profession and lower Internet
addiction levels. Engaging in regular sporting activities was found to reduce
teaching candidates’ Internet addiction levels and positively affect
problem-solving skills.
Keywords: Internet addiction, problem-solving skills, teacher
self-efficacy perception, teaching candidates.