Using Technology in Education from the Pre-service Science and Mathematics Teachers’ Perspectives

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find out pre-service teachers’ views about the use of technology in science and middle school mathematics courses. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 pre-service teachers studying in a university in Central Anatolia Region during the spring semester of 2017-2018 academic year. The obtained data were analyzed using content analysis by the researchers. According to the findings, pre-service teachers thought that computer, smart board, projector, laboratory equipment, notebook, and pencil are the main technologies that can be used in the classroom. The participants also thought that presentation and video processing programs make course interesting and enjoyable, visualize the topic, make learning easier, and enable the permanent learning. However, they also stated that preparing a presentation and video processing program may be time consuming and boring if it is used throughout the course; and the program may not be useful for every subject. The participants found blogs and web pages useful since they give opportunities to share course content, materials, and information, make announcements to make students prepared for the course. Almost all the participants believed that technological equipment of their classroom definitely affect their teaching. Namely, in an ill-equipped class, the students would have difficulty in learning, tend to memorize things; also their attitudes, interests, and motivations towards the course, and participation in the lesson would be affected; and their learning would not be permanent.