Research Article
Emre Dinc
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 10, Issue 4, pp. 381-398
ABSTRACT
This study examined the thoughts of preservice teachers about technology integration and collected their ideas about possible barriers to technology integration in education. With this aim, the participants were asked two key questions which are (1) “What does ‘Technology Integration in Education’ mean to you?” and (2) “What might be the possible barriers to technology integration in education?”. A total of 76 preservice teachers, who took the course “Integrating Technology in Education” during their Elementary Teacher Education program took part in the study. The data were analyzed by using descriptive analysis method in this qualitative study. As a result of the study, it was revealed that preservice teachers have critical perceptions related to technology integration, such as effective use of technology, inclusion of technology in the course curriculum, increasing engagement, visualizing the course content, working with administrators to integrate technology, and being able to teach with technology that cannot be taught beforehand. As for the external and internal barriers, the participants commented that lack of funding/budget, lack of equipment, lack of ability, and time are major barriers to technology integration in education. Unlike the other studies in the relevant literature, preservice teachers stated parents and security as barriers to integrating technology in education.
Keywords: Technology itegration, Technology use in education, Prospective teachers, Barriers to technology use, Descriptive analysis
Research Article
Mehmet Akif Ocak, Şahin Gökçearslan, Ebru Solmaz
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 5, Issue 1, pp. 22-38
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate pre-service teachers’ perceptions on the use of blogs regarding ICT integration in the FATIH project in Turkey. Participants were 174 pre-service teachers continuing their education. Data collection tool was a questionnaire which measured pre-service teachers’ perceptions of the blogs. Questionnaire embodied some sub-categories of blog use such as learning, motivation, active participation, writing skills, group work, and critical thinking. Findings revealed that using blogs in classes affected learning and teaching process. The obtained results also showed that the blogs contributed to the recuperation of writing and critical thinking skills. These results indicated that students found social contributions of the blogs such as sharing information and interacting with peers. Based on the findings of study, appropriate conclusions and implications were addressed within the context of the FATIH project.
Keywords: Blogs, FATIH project, Tablet computers, Technology use in education, Technology integration