The role of electronic social networks in achieving professional development for teachers of the first cycle of basic education in Damascus Governorate

Abstract

The aim of the research is to identify the role of electronic social networks in achieving the professional development of teachers in the first cycle of the basic education stage in the Damascus governorate, and to know the difference in the teachers ’ratings according to each of the following variables: gender, academic qualification, and training courses. To achieve the research objectives; The researcher followed the descriptive approach, and applied a questionnaire consisting of three axes on (257) male and female teachers. The research reached the following results:

The general average of the level of appreciation of the teachers of the first stage of the basic education stage of the role of electronic social networks in achieving professional development received a grade of (medium), with an arithmetic average (3.17), and a relative weight (63.44%). The axis (career growth) and the (self-development) axis in the questionnaire obtained a grade of appreciation (medium), with a mean of between (3.15-2.86), and a relative weight that ranged between (62.94-57.11). As for the (technological growth) axis, it obtained a rating (large), with an arithmetic average of (3.49), and a relative weight (69.74).

 -  There are statistically significant differences between the averages of teachers ’estimates in the first cycle of the basic education stage of the role of electronic social networks in professional development due to both the scientific qualification variable in favor of higher academic qualification, and the training course variable in favor of teachers who followed courses.

- There is no statistically significant difference between the two averages of the first cycle teachers ’estimates of the basic education stage in Damascus governorate of the role of electronic social networks in professional development due to the gender variable.

Based on the research results, the researcher presented a set of recommendations and proposals related to the necessity of providing the necessary training for teachers of the first stage of the basic education stage on electronic social networks, and the necessity of conducting more studies in this area.