Ahmet Naci Çoklar

Modeling preservice teachers' TPACK competencies based on ICT usage

The purpose of this study was to build a model that predicts the relationships between the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) competencies and information and communication technology (ICT) usages. Research data were collected from 3105 Turkish preservice teachers. The TPACK-Deep Scale, ICT usage phase survey and the ICT usage level survey were used to collect the research data. The structural regression model was conducted to test the model regarding the fact that ICT usage phases and ICT usage levels were predictors of TPACK competencies. The ICT usage phase was a statistically significant predictor of TPACK competency for all such sub-factors of the TPACK-Deep Scale as design (β = 0.12; p < 0.01), exertion (β = 0.20; p < 0.01), ethics (β = 0.93; p < 0.01) and proficiency (β = 0.41; p < 0.01). Similarly, the ICT usage level was a statistically significant predictor of TPACK competency for all such sub-dimensions of the scale as design (β = 0.23; p < 0.01), exertion (β = 0.12; p < 0.01), ethics (β = 0.78; p < 0.01) and proficiency (β = 0.21; p < 0.01). The research findings demonstrated that ICT use based on ICT usage phase and level and technology use knowledge and skills also influence overall TPACK competencies. When ICT usage phases and/or ICT usage levels are increased with the help of ICT training, it could be stated that TPACK competencies might be influenced; however, certain sub-dimensions might be influenced more, and some dimensions might be influenced less.

Evaluating programming self-efficacy in the context of inquiry skills and problem-solving skills: A perspective from teacher education

It is stated that programming skills, which are ever-increasingly becoming crucial nowadays, have an impact on cognitive processes and promote individual’s self-efficacy in different ways. It is noted that students with programming skills have the character of problem solving, inquiry and being able to make decisions, which are all requisites of today’s education system.. The purpose of this research is to examine the programming self-efficacy of Information Technologies and Software teacher candidates, who are trained in the field of programming. In total, 707 students, who are studying in the Department of Computer and Instructional Technologies Education of the Faculty of Education of eight universities in Turkey, participated in this research. The results of the research demonstrate that students’ programming self-efficacy is at medium level, whereas high level is observed for their inquiry and problem-solving skills. Also, inquiry skills have a significant impact on their perceived programming self-efficacy; whereas problem-solving skills has not any impact on it.

Technology Integration Experiences of Teachers

Abstract Teachers are important providers of educational sustainability. Teachers’ ability to adapt themselves to rapidly developing technologies applicable to learning environments is connected with technology integration. The purpose of this study is to investigate teachers’ technology integration experiences in the course of learning and teaching processes. In doing so, qualitative research methods have been applied. The participants of the study were four teachers of different subject fields who work at a public secondary school in 2015–2016 school years and regard themselves as competent in technology integration. The study results indicated that the teachers took a teacher-centered stand in technology integration and the teachers’ most prominent reasons to start technology integration were the search for quality in education. Also the teachers, as IT school teachers, reported receiving support from close friends, the Ministry of National Education (MoNE), and online resources. The problems that the teachers faced in the processes of technology integration were mostly related to issues connected with the access to technology and technology proficiency.