Teachers' opinions about lifelong education, the teaching profession, distance education and leadership

The aim of the present study is to examine teachers' opinions about lifelong education, professional development, the teaching profession, distance education, leadership and, the Internet via their metaphors. The teachers (n=24) working during the spring semester of the 2014-2015 academic year in the city center of Bolu in Turkey formed the study group of the present study. A survey method was used in the study. The qualitative data were collected by means of a semi-structured interview format prepared and developed by the researchers. For the analysis of the qualitative data, a content analysis technique was used. The findings of the study revealed that the teachers are aware of the fact that lifelong education is important for their professional development. As a consequence, they believe that distance education and the Internet are important means for this and have an important place not only in the present educational system but also for their professional development.