Information Technologies Pre-service Teachers’ Acceptance of Tablet PCs as an Innovative Learning Tool

Abstract

AbstractThe current study is aimed to determine if Turkish IT pre-service teachers' acceptance of tablet PCs is within the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model. The research was patterned as a phenomenological study which is among the qualitative research methods. Participants were eight pre-service teachers studying in Trakya University, Faculty of Education, Computer Education and Instructional Technologies Department during the 2011-2012 academic year. A semi-structured interview, an activity list for tablet PCs, the students' reflective journal and the researcher's reflective journal were used to collect the data. Research data were analyzed via content analysis. Findings showed that IT pre-service teachers have technology acceptance towards tablet PCs which in turn directs in a positive way their attitude and behavioral intention to use. Nonetheless, various challenges concerning the hardware, software and communication may have negative effects on IT pre-service teachers' technology acceptance of tablet PC.Key WordsMobile Learning, Reflective Journal Writing, Tablet PC, Teacher Education, Technology Acceptance, Technology Integration.The use of a tablet PC as an innovative tool in teaching-learning processes has become increasingly widespread on the university level. Liaw, Hatala, and Huang (2010) report that the fast spread of the tablet PC and relevant technologies parallel to the rise in internet access options has altered the nature of higher education thoroughly. A set of studies focusing on the use of the tablet PC in the university has shown that such technologies have contributed positively to teaching-learning processes (Dickerson, Williams, & Browning, 2009; El-Gayar, Moran, & Hawkes, 2011; Li, Pow, Wong, & Fung, 2010; Steinweg, Williams, & Stapleton, 2010). On one hand, Dickerson, Williams, and Browning (2009) describe learners of the modern age as advanced technology users. On the other hand, tablet PCs are a totally new concept for a majority of these users since they lack adequate experience with tablet PCs that they do not personally own. Based on this fact, Kyu (2011) claims that to promote this new technological tool- tablet PCs- a certain length of time should be spent to enable not only wider manufacturing of this electronic material but also to become familiarized with this new technology. Additionally, because of the high cost of their technical features and the limited software options that are available to many fields and learning levels, the use of tablet PCs in instructional processes is rather ambiguous regardless of its positive expectations. Despite the fact that this ambiguity seems to stem from administrative, financial, technical assistance and substructure factors; the attitudes, skills, perceptions and expectations of pre-service teachers towards the use of tablet PCs as an innovative technology for both personal and instructional purposes have a leading characteristic that encircles and governs all the other parameters. El-Gayar et al. (2011) state that despite the presence of some studies investigating the use of the tablet PC in education, the number of literary studies focusing on general student acceptance is limited. Kukulska-Hulme and Shield (2008) report that the quantity of researchers investigating the use of mobile tools supporting pedagogical approaches is rather low. It is also emphasized that regardless of being an emerging and interesting technology, the number of studies underscoring the use and efficacy of tablet PCs in education is below expectations (El- Gayar et al., 2011; Kukulska-Hulme & Shield, 2008; Kyu, 2011; Steinweg, Williams, & Stapleton, 2010).Parallel to the limited number of studies in relevant international literature, the practices and researches related to the use of tablet PCs for instructional purposes in Turkey are still in the start-up phase. In particular, with the implementation of the FATIH Project (Movement of Enhancing Opportunities and Improving Technology, abbreviated as FATIH), which is aimed towards generalizing the use of instructional technologies such as tablet PCs and smart boards in Turkish elementary and secondary educational institutions, there has been a recent climb in studies investigating the use of tablet PCs for instructional processes throughout Turkey. …