The purpose of this study is to identify the types and motivational factors of self-development of MZ generation teachers and to examine the differences between MZ generation teachers and X generation teachers. For this purpose, the study sets the fol...
The purpose of this study is to identify the types and motivational factors of self-development of MZ generation teachers and to examine the differences between MZ generation teachers and X generation teachers. For this purpose, the study sets the following research questions:
First, what type of self-improvement do teachers in the MZ generation?
Second, what are the motivation factors for self-improvement of teachers in the MZ generation?
Third, what is the difference between MZ generation teachers and X generation teachers‘ self-improvement?
To solve this study problem, a qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interview techniques for eight MZ generation teachers who are active in self-development working in elementary schools in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.
The main findings are as follows.
First, the types of self-development of the MZ generation were 'mental health management type', 'managerial or professional preparation type', and 'personal branding type'. First, the 'mental health management type' is self-improvement through mental management or physical health activities. Efforts for a healthy mental state are part of improving one's capabilities and growing and developing. The second type of self-improvement is 'managerial or professional preparation type'. In the case of the MZ generation, there is a strong tendency to change jobs in search of better conditions. However, since it is not easy for teachers to change jobs, they try to move from ordinary teachers to 'management positions' or professional jobs'. To this end, self-improvement is carried out, such as entering graduate school, studying abroad, or participating in research competitions. The last type is 'personal branding type'. Through personal branding, you can create your own characteristics that are different from others and set goals and values to achieve self-realization.
Second, there were four factors that motivated self-development of teachers of the MZ generation. The first motivational factor is ‘the mind for growth and achievement rather than success’. MZ generation teachers pursue personal growth rather than success, focus on small but certain achievements, and engage in self-development. The second motivational factor is ‘the preparation for an uncertain future’. Teachers' anxiety has increased because the job or teaching environment with guaranteed stability compared to other jobs has become more difficult than before. Therefore, self-improvement is carried out as a countermeasure against an uncertain future. The third motivational factor is ‘to establish 'selfishness'’. Teachers of the MZ generation develop themselves to become irreplaceable by preparing a way to highlight themselves. The final motivator is ‘getting additional income’. Teachers are not in an environment where they can easily do side jobs due to the nature of their jobs, but they try to get an opportunity to earn additional income while promoting personal growth through self-development.
Third, the self-improvement of the MZ generation teachers and the X generation showed similar but different self-improvement. The first difference is that teachers of the MZ generation show a 'honest' attitude rather than 'cool'. Generation X teachers showed a cool attitude that their self-development was not done with the future in mind, but MZ generation teachers accept the reality of having to prepare for the changed teaching environment and engage in self-development with an honest attitude. The second is that the MZ generation teachers focus on 'passion for their own happiness' rather than 'others'. Generation X teachers devoted themselves to self-development in order to maintain tension in their teaching life or to help students. However, MZ generation teachers focus on themselves and develop themselves for their own happiness. The third is the 'deepening of entrepreneurial self'. Both Generation X and Generation MZ teachers develop themselves to form an 'entrepreneurial ego'. However, the MZ generation teachers form a deeper 'entrepreneurial ego' through 'personal branding'. The fourth difference is that MZ generation teachers are more 'active' and 'bold' self-improvement according to reality confirmation. Due to the unexpected school field, Generation X and Generation MZ teachers invest in self-improvement. However, the MZ generation teachers are much more active and bold. The last fifth is that the self-improvement of teachers of the MZ generation is self-improvement as 'overcoming' anxiety, not 'increasing' anxiety. As the teaching environment becomes more difficult, teachers' anxiety increases. Generation X teachers want to get a way to adapt rather than improve the unstable reality through self-improvement, which only adds to anxiety. On the other hand, MZ generation teachers want to overcome anxiety through self-development and have their own competitiveness to open new possibilities.
The discussion focused on the implications of self-improvement of MZ generation teachers on teaching culture and the meaning and possibilities of self-improvement of MZ generation teachers according to the type of self-improvement based on self-technology. As the self-development of teachers in the MZ generation becomes more active, it can be seen that the closed teaching culture changes open, and the conservative teaching culture changes toward change. On the one hand, it can be seen that teacher individualism intensifies as the self-development of teachers in the MZ generation becomes more active.
In addition, according to the four types of self-improvement based on self-technology ('Self-Help', 'Self-Empowerment', 'Self-Management', and 'Self-Development'), the self-improvement of MZ generation teachers was able to know the type of 'Self-Help' and 'Self-Empower'. The two types have something in common that is based on 'self-knowledge' and 'self-care' among self-technology, which shows that there are many motivational factors for self-development of MZ generation teachers, but the fundamental reason for MZ generation teachers working hard on self-development is for 'self'. Therefore, the more active the self-development of teachers in the MZ generation, the more prominent the characteristics of teachers in the MZ generation who value themselves will be. Thinking too much about oneself can lead to extreme individualism, so it is necessary to find ways to maintain the self-development of teachers of the MZ generation so that they can have the right direction.
These findings and discussion led to the following conclusions:
First, since MZ generation teachers are interested in fields other than teaching as well as teaching, it is necessary to operate various training or programs for MZ generation teachers in consideration of the areas of interest of MZ generation teachers.
Second, as the MZ generation teachers' self-development becomes more active, teacher individualism intensifies. So, We should be prepared to prevent the intensification of teacher individualism.