“First of all, what motivates me most as an academician is of course the curriculum. This
really affects me a lot. Not only the advantages brought about by the academic world we
live in, but also the current working conditions inevitably influence us regarding this
subject; the subject that the curriculum leads us to. I think this is the most important
factor. Of course, what raises this consciousness is the curriculum...”. [ÖÖ2]
“...even there is no CEIT departments, programs or undergraduates, teacher training
curricula must cover CEIT courses. … even within the scope of the liberal education,
CEIT experts are the ones to teach ICT literacy. I think this is the responsibility of those
who know this field well...”. [BÖ2]
Among the instructors, BÖ2 and BÖ1 considered motivation as one of the factors that facilitates ICTbased
contribution to the solutions of societal problems. BÖ2 stated “…motivation is something
necessary at all times. That is, I think motivation is the primary thing in solving societal problems, if
there is no willingness… You will not do anything if you don’t have any desire, well, you won’t even
move...”. In this regard, BÖ1 said “We should increase the motivation of our society without any
hesitation or fear...”, Another instructor (ÖÖ1) addressed personality traits saying “First, I regard it as
a conscientious duty. What comes first into my mind is the desire to become beneficial for people by
sharing my knowledge or what I own. That is, your knowledge motivates you to share it with other
people; this increases your motivation and encourages you. It is a source of happiness. Sharing with
others makes you happy”.
During the semi-structured interviews, the instructors stated that the factors preventing contribution
to the solution of societal problems with the use of ICTs were time, financial problems, lack of social
support, literacy and lack of the freedom of thought. Instructors emphasized the factor of time
through the following statements:
“Time is certainly one of the biggest problems. I am talking of my courses, my faculty
and myself. We have to teach courses to our students here, at faculty... Well, time is of
course an important problem.” [ÖÖ1]
“...well, I can say time is something like, within my actual living conditions I don’t have
much time to establish relationship with the society. Time is crucial for me, and it
influences me.” [ÖÖ2]
“Now, I teach for 30 class-hours a week. This is an inhibitory factor for me… I don’t have
extra time for other activities. Well, if I talk about one of my routine days, here, I leave
school at half past eight at night, and I’m home at ten thirty. I eat my dinner by twelve
o’clock. And I study till three in the morning.” [EÖ1]
Another instructor (EÖ1) emphasized the importance of financial problems and reported that seeking
for solutions to societal problems without expecting any financial benefit was in the second place.
Regarding this, the instructor stated
“We are in a terrible financial situation. That’s, well, besides our salaries paid by the
government, we have extra jobs. As we are computer experts, we certainly know a lot of
people in every field. Well, for sure, they bring us more income. Thus, in such a case, of
course, you feel yourself guilty. Normally, my main profession, my job is here. Actually,
the salary I get should satisfy me, and if it did, why would I try to earn extra money
outside the university. Well, this thought even disturbs me… That’s, our first concern is
of course to make the ends meet, to earn our living. This is our priority, so when I can
not meet this need in my own work-place, where I get my salary, I naturally have to
divide myself into different jobs.” [EÖ1]
Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, January 2013, 4(1)