Pre-service elementary school teachers' perceptions of using technology in education: focusing on self-efficacy and challenges

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of pre-service elementary school teachers about education using technology, based on examining both their self-efficacy and the challenges they face when conducting technology-based classes.
 Methods A total of 120 participants were asked to complete a survey including twenty closed-ended questions and one open-ended question. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using the IBM SPSS statistics software to scrutinise the participants’ level of self-efficacy for technology-based education. Regarding the responses of challenges and barriers pre-service elementary school teachers’ would experience while incorporating technology into the class, all the narrative data was examined.
 Results The findings showed that overall, pre-service elementary school teachers seem to have confidence in using technology in classrooms for students in the future, and to feel comfortable if they employ technology during the class. However, they are not confident to appropriately use computer terminology during the lesson and to evaluate proper softwares for teaching and learning. In addition, concerning the challenges that teachers may face during the technology-based class, the difficulties were divided into three categories: teachers-related, students-related, and other types of difficulties including technical issues.
 Conclusions Based on the findings, discussion and suggestions on the development of pre-service elementary school teachers’ self-efficacy for technology-based education and on the improvement of their technology competence were presented.