Cultural participation patterns of prospective teachers in the context of informal learning 1

This study was conducted to evaluate the lifelong learning culture of teacher candidates within the framework of the concept of cultural capital, which Bourdieu defines as the sum of intellectual qualities. The study employed the survey model as a quantitative research method. The study universe consisted of 538 prospective teachers attending Ankara University. Data concerning the cultural participation patterns among prospective teachers were collected through the "Cultural Participation Survey". The data were analysed using frequency analysis, percentage analysis, chi-square testing, t-testing, and one-way variance analysis (ANOVA). As a result, it was found that the education level, working status and income of the families of teacher candidates indicated low socio-economic and socio-cultural origins. It was observed that the cultural participation levels of the teacher candidates were low and these levels varied significantly according to the education level and income status of their parents. On the other hand, there was no significant difference according to the class they studied and the working status of the parents.