THE RELATION BETWEEN SCIENCE STUDENT TEACHERS’ EDUCATIONAL USE OF WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR COMPUTER SELF-EFFICACY

Abstract

The rapid increase in the use of Web 2.0 technologies has led to changes in school curricula because they are a powerful tool for developing innovative ways of teaching and learning. These technologies have also changed how teacher education programmes prepare pre-service teachers. Thus, as a predictor, pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy is important for the development of their computer skills. A descriptive research design was employed. The data were collected using a Web 2.0 technologies educational usage scale and a computer-related self-efficacy perception scale. The sample of the study involved 146 (F: 70, M: 76) student teachers in a teacher education course at Ziya Gökalp Education Faculty of Dicle University during the 2011-2012 academic year. The data were analysed using means, t-tests, and one-way ANOVAs. The study revealed that student teachers used Facebook the most frequently to communicate, access class material, hold discussions and form academic groups. Student teachers with Internet access at home used Web2.0 technologies more frequently than those without Internet access at home. The frequent use of Web 2.0 by student teachers provides teachers with the possibility for more student-centred learning activities in the classroom. Key words: science student teachers, teacher education, Web 2.0 technologies.