An Evaluative Case Study on Professional Competency of Preservice Information Technology Teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate preservice Information Technology (IT) teachers' professional competency in the teaching process. The study was designed on the basis of evaluative case study. The participants of the study consisted of seven preservice IT teachers attending the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies (CEIT) at the College of Education of the higher education institution in Turkey in the spring semester of the 2008-2009 academic year, one participant researcher and one mentor teacher. In the study, the qualitative research data collection methods such as small-group interviews, observations and field notes were used, while the evaluation forms of the participant researcher and mentor teacher, the reflections of mentor teachers, and the researcher's journals were used as supplementary data sources. Inductive data analysis methods were employed in this study. The findings of the study indicated that the preservice IT teachers were competent in the preparation of instructional materials, in the use of instructional materials and technological tools and in the implementation of assessment and evaluation activities. However, the preservice IT teachers had a low level of competency in the use of technological concepts and in the observation of students' development. The findings of the study were discussed based on the handbook that was published by the MoNE. The research also has implications for future research, IT teachers and IT preservice teachers.