Is There a Relationship Between Social Media Use and Preservice Teacher Burnout?

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 11:25 am
  In Roundtable Session: Social Media Usage and Teacher Identity (Table 41)

Abstract

This study provides preliminary insights into the relationship between preservice teachers’ social media use, level of burnout, and self-efficacy for teaching. Participants (N=72) in this exploratory mixed-methods study were preservice teachers in their second semester of a four-semester teacher education program at a public university in the southwestern United States. Quantitative results showed most participants felt confident in their instructional knowledge but felt high levels of burnout. Participants reported using social media to find teaching resources and support; however, qualitative data shows varying responses regarding participants’ feelings toward teaching following social media use. Implications for teacher recruitment and preservice teacher education are discussed.

Authors

• Lacy D. Brice, Texas Tech University

• Catherine A. Lammert, Texas Tech University