Social Media Usage Patterns and Environmental Awareness Levels Among Pre-Service Teachers

Abstract

Social media has emerged as a low-cost and high-reach communication tool in the 21st century. Globally, platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp are widely used for information sharing, interaction, and engagement among students and teachers. The present study aimed to examine the level of environmental awareness among pre-service teachers through social media. A quantitative research methodology with a descriptive survey design was employed. The sample consisted of 313 pre-service teachers enrolled in B.Ed. programmes in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Data were collected using a self-constructed Environmental Awareness through Social Media Scale based on a five-point Likert format. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and skewness were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that pre-service teachers demonstrated moderate to high levels of social media usage and environmental awareness. The study further indicated that social media serves as an effective tool for promoting environmental awareness and encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour among teacher trainees.