Comparative Investigation of Problematic Internet Usage Situations of Pre-Service Information Technology Teachers: Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Sample

Abstract In this study, it is aimed to examine the internet usage levels and the problematic internet usage levels of educational computer teachers in Hatay Mustafa Kemal University (HMKU) in 2015 and 2019 in a comparative manner. In addition, the effect of the gender of teacher candidates in these years on problematic internet usage levels was investigated. In 2015, 140 students and 73 students participated in the survey. The data were collected via a personal information form, a questionnaire that questions the purposes of internet usage and the Problematic Internet Using Scale. Findings revealed that in 2015 and 2019, the objectives of the use of HMKU IT trainees showed a change. It is determined that IT teacher candidates studying in 2015 and 2019 have a similar level of problematic internet usage. On the other hand, it was found that problematic internet use of male pre-service teachers in 2015 was higher than that of women, while there was no statistically significant difference between the sexes in 2019. On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between the level of problematic internet use and academic achievement in the learning process in line with the data obtained at both times. According to the results, it has been determined that the health status of IT trainees is not changed over time and that the purpose of use is changing in line with the developing technology. In researches, it is recommended that the use of general internet in the context of the use of health instead of being healthy should be addressed