Pre-service teachers’ decoding skills in information and communication technologies and critical thinking dispositions

Abstract

This research aims to examine the relationship between the critical thinking dispositions of preservice teachers and their decoding skills in information and communication technologies (decoding skills-ICT). As a research method, survey and correlational research models from quantitative research approaches were used. Research universe is a Faculty of Education at a state university in Turkey. With the use of the convenience sampling method, 262 preservice teachers who voluntarily participated in the online survey constitute the sample of the research. The research data were obtained using the Marmara Critical Thinking Dispositions Scale (MCTDS) and the Decoding Skills in Information and Communication Technologies (decoding skills-ICT) Scale in the 2020-2021 academic year. Among the significant findings of the study are that the average scores of preservice teachers for decoding skills-ICT are at an average level and the average scores for critical thinking dispositions are high. Finally, it has been found in the study that there is a moderately positive relationship between critical thinking dispositions and decoding skills-ICT. According to regression analysis, decoding skills-ICT explains 17.8% of the variance of critical thinking dispositions. This study also aimed to investigate the relationship between decoding skills-ICT and different higher-level thinking skills and to examine the impact of attitudes, dispositions, and skills of different groups of participants on decoding skills-ICT.