Factors Affecting Preservice Teachers' Computer Use for General Purposes: Implications for Computer Training Courses

Abstract

As the majority of educational research has focused on preservice teachers' computer use for educational purposes, the question remains: Do preservice teachers use computer technology for daily life activities and encounters? And do preservice teachers' personality traits and motivational beliefs related to computer training provided at colleges of education affect preservice teachers' computer use for general purposes. This study explored the relationships between 334 primary/junior preservice teachers' demographic information, prior computer experience, motivational beliefs, personality traits, and computer use for general purposes. Prior computer experience was the most significant predictor of computer use. The study also yielded significant results about motivational beliefs, gender, and personality traits. Implications for computer training courses are also suggested.