Investigation of Prospective Teachers' Information and Communication Technology Integration Practices in Terms of Transformative Learning Theory

Abstract

An examination of prospective teachers information and communication technology (ICT) integration skills development in an undergraduate program indicated that the only course available to practice these skills was the teaching practice course. However, the practice and development of these ICT integration skills in the teaching practice course has not been clearly elucidated. In other words, while the contribution of the teaching practice course in terms of theoretical ICT integration knowledge is known, how this knowledge is applied is unknown. Under such uncertainties, it is impossible to determine the roles of teaching practice course stakeholders play in terms of ICT integration. Based on transformative learning theory at a micro level, the aim of this study was to analyze prospective Information Technology (IT) teachers ICT integration transformations. Methodological triangulation, a mixed methods research design, was adopted and designed as a survey method. Over an academic year, data was collected from 54 prospective IT teachers, two university supervisors, and six practice teachers. Transformative Learning Data Collection Sets (questionnaire and interview form) were used to analyze the ICT integration practice transformations, with interview forms, focus group interview forms, and the researchers diary being used as the data collection tools. The results showed that though a majority of the prospective IT teachers were likely to experience transformative learning, approximately one-third were able to achieve an ICT integration transformation within the scope of the teaching practice course. In this context, a more efficient model is proposed for ICT integration practices in the scope of a teaching practice course.