The examination of relationships between emotional intelligence levels and creativity levels of pre-service teachers in the teaching-learning process and environments

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence levels and creativity levels of pre-service teachers in the process of constructing educational system in Turkey. In the study, mixed methods which include qualitative and quantitative data were used. The study was done in 2011-2012 academic year with the participation of the students of Muğla University, Faculty of Education, Departments of Elementary Science Teaching, Elementary School Teaching, Pre-School Teaching, Elementary Social Sciences Teaching, Turkish Language Teaching and English Language Teaching. The questionnaire which was adapted to Turkish language by Tatar et al. (2011) "Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire" was used to determine the pre-service teachers' emotional intelligence levels. Additionally, the questionnaire which was adapted to Turkish language by Aksoy (2004) "How Creative Are You?" was used to determine the pre-service teachers' creativity levels. And "Personal Data Form" was used to collect personal data of the pre-service teachers. For the collection of qualitative data, semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers, and "Personal Data Form" were used to. In order to analyze the quantitative data, "t test" and one-way anova were used. Both critical and interpretive analysis techniques were applied together in the analysis of the qualitative data. According to results of the study, it was determined that emotional intelligence levels of pre-service teachers vary significantly based on gender; yet, no significant difference based on grade level and department was observed. Additionally, it was determined that creativity levels of pre-service teachers vary significantly depending on department, but no significant difference is observed based on gender and grade level. And finally, it was determined that there was positive and significant relationship at a low level between emotional intelligence levels and creativity levels of pre-service teachers.