Chapter 6: Preservice teachers’ perceptions of Twitter for Health and Physical Education teacher education: A self-determination theoretical approach

Purpose: Limited research has been conducted relating to the use of social media during health and physical education teachereducation. The aim of this study was to investigate preservice teachers’ perceptions of the value of using Twitter for health andphysical education teacher education. Methods: Preservice teachers completed a qualitatively designed survey. Thematic analyseswere conducted via Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software, aligned to self-determination theory. Results: Twitterwas perceived to be valuable for the following motivational components: (a) autonomy (choice over professional development,latest ideas, and learning flexibility), (b) relatedness (enhancing communication, tailored collaborations, and receiving practicalsupport), and (c) competence (transferring ideas to classes, increasing technological competence, and keeping ahead of otherteachers). Yet there were concerns due to Twitter’s public exposure to undesired Twitter users (relatedness) and how to navigate theplatform (competence). Discussion/Conclusions: The study provides guidance to health and physical education teacher educationproviders on how digital learning via Twitter can meet preservice teachers’ learning needs