Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the use of computers by student teachers in their practicums. Student teachers (n=120) in two public universities in the United States answered a questionnaire that covered: the manner and frequency of computer use, student teachers' perception of their training, their attitudes toward the role of the computer in teaching, and factors that might be associated with student teachers' use of computers. The study achieved a response rate of 92% (n=110). Eighty-five percent of the student teachers in the study reported using computers. Fifty-one percent of the student teachers used computers with children and for personal purposes. Student teachers held positive attitudes toward the role of computers in education. Drill and practice comprised the highest usage rate in educational software. There was a low usage rate in game, problem solving, tutorial, and simulation programs. Word processing had the highest usage rate of tool software, with usage rates sharply lower for graphics, spreadsheet, and database programs. While only 13% of the student teachers used computers for multimedia, just 10% of them used computers for telecommunication. Study findings highlight the need to restructure the educational computing courses in the teacher education programs at the two universities. (Contains 17 references.) (SWC)

Citation

Wang, Y.m. & Holthaus, P. (1997). Student Teachers' Computer Use during Practicum. Presented at Selected Research and Development Presentations at the 1996 National Convention of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology 1997. Retrieved August 7, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/81871/.

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Keywords

• College Curriculum
• Computer Attitudes
• computer literacy
• Computer Oriented Programs
• computer science education
• Computer Software
• Computer Uses in Education
• educational technology
• higher education
• Practicums
• Role
• student teachers
• teacher attitudes
• technology integration