Examining the meaningful work level of generation X and generation Y teachers

Abstract

In the 21st Century, the increase in expectation of education has required a series of morecomplex roles, responsibilities and competences in the teaching profession. Teachers who are the moststrategic factor in educational effectiveness, their generation differences and level of motivation are oneof the important variables in the success of the institutions. The purpose of this study was to reveal thelevel of meaningful work in Generation X and Generation Y teachers, and its relationship with variousvariables. According to this purpose relaible and valid measurement tool was also developed. This studywas designed in a descriptive survey model and carried out with the participation of 267 teachers withquantitative method. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test and one way analysis of variance(ANOVA), exploratory factor analysis, split half reliabilty test. It was found that meaningful work levels ofteachers are high and generation X teachers find their work relatively more meaningful than GenerationY. There was a significant difference between the opinions of teachers’ on meaningful work level based oncity and school type variables. Internal moral values are relatively more effective on teachers’ meaningfulwork experiences than external financial-material values. It was also revealed that meaningful work scaleis reliable and valid questionnaire.