Elementary Pre-service Teachers’ Search, Evaluation, and Selection of Online Science Education Resources

Abstract

With the ever-growing pervasiveness of the Internet, teachers’ use of Web-based resources is increasing. Although much is now known about undergraduate students’ search behaviors for Web-based resources, little research has focused on search behaviors of pre-service educators. This study examined the Web searching strategies of pre-service teachers when searching for online science resources and examined the factors that influenced resource selection. Pre-service teacher search behaviors were found to be generally inefficient and lacking in complexity. Furthermore, an analysis of the participant selected resources showed that pre-service teachers preferred resources that were highly modifiable, despite the limited availability of such resources online. Suggestions for improving the design and organization of online educational resources and pre-service teacher search skills are discussed.