Ching Sing Chai

A framework for developing pre‐service teachers’ competencies in using technologies to enhance teaching and learning

This paper presents a framework for developing pre‐service teachers’ competencies in using technologies to enhance teaching and learning. It focuses on building the capacity of teacher education institutions (TEI) based on six strategic dimensions: (1) vision and philosophy; (2) program; (3) professional learning of deans, teacher educators and support staff; (4) ICT plan, infrastructure, resources and support; (5) communications and partnerships; and (6) research and evaluation. This paper describes each of these six strategic dimensions and synthesizes these in the overall framework for developing pre‐service teachers’ competencies in generating technology‐enhanced teaching and learning.

Singaporean pre-service teachers’ beliefs about epistemology, teaching and learning, and technology

This paper reports a qualitative study on the epistemological beliefs of seven pre-service teachers, their beliefs about learning and teaching, and their perceptions about the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). Findings suggest that the teachers’ beliefs about learning seem to align with their epistemological beliefs, while their beliefs about teaching are inconsistent with their epistemological beliefs. On the other hand, although the pre-service teachers’ perceptions about the use of ICT are more aligned with their beliefs about teaching rather than their beliefs about learning, their perceived affordances of ICT suggest a shift towards more constructivist-oriented pedagogical practices.