| Edited by Diane McGrath, Kansas State University |
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in
Education
Exploring Individual
Characteristics Associated
with Learning to Use Computers in Preservice Teacher Preparation
Margaret Merlyn
Ropp
University of New Mexico
Abstract
This study explored the relationships among individual
teacher characteristics that might change through
experience
and instruction in preservice teacher education.
Fifty-three
teacher preparation students in a semester-long
course completed
surveys measuring computer attitudes, technology
proficiency,
computer anxiety, computer self-efficacy, and
computer coping
strategies. Analyses revealed significant
correlations among
all but computer coping strategies. Significant
improvements
in technology proficiency, computer self-efficacy,
and computer
coping strategies occurred from the beginning to
end of
the course, which included hands-on training and
classroom
discussion of technology. Behavioral
characteristics appeared
to improve with experience and instruction whereas
affective
characteristics remained relatively stable.
Contributor
Before earning a PhD in educational psychology
with a specialization
in cognition and technology from Michigan State
University,
Margaret Merlyn Ropp received a BA in studio art
and a master’s
degree in museum studies from the University of
Nebraska–Lincoln.
Dr. Ropp’s career interests include working
with preservice
and inservice teachers and teacher educators as
they learn
to integrate technology into their teaching, and
her research
focuses on the investigation and development of
cognitive,
social, and affective environments that support
self-regulated
learning in the domain of teaching with
technology. Dr.
Ropp is currently an assistant professor of
technology education
at the University of New Mexico. (Address: Dr.
Margaret
M. Ropp, Room 267 Hokona Hall-Zuni, College of
Education,
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
87131-1231; megropp@unm.edu.)
Download
the full article (PDF, 223 KB, PDF Instructions).
Copyright
© 1999, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All
rights
reserved.
| year-long study of teachers |
|
