Research Article
Nur Nabihah Mohamad Nizar, Hutkemri Zulnaidi, Annisaa Basar, Siti Zuraida Maaruf
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 4, Article No: ep531
ABSTRACT
The increasing prevalence of mobile augmented reality (MAR) has garnered attention in contemporary times. However, its application within educational settings remains largely untapped, primarily due to its predominant utilization in entertainment domains. MAR presents opportunities for augmenting learning experiences, fostering enhanced adaptability in educational methodologies, and enriching students’ academic endeavors. Therefore, this study aims to enhance the use of MAR and formulates a model of MAR usage for pre-service teachers. In the context of this study, MAR learning cardiovascular (MARLCardio) serves as an experimental tool for exemplifying the features of MAR. This study integrates the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) as underpinning theories. This study was undertaken to determine factors that influence pre-service teachers’ attitude, acceptance, and their intention to continue using MAR in the learning process. Responses from 456 pre-service teachers through a survey were analyzed using structural equation modelling. Findings in this study found that pre-service teachers agree that facilitating condition play a crucial role in shaping pre-service teachers’ positive attitude and influencing their intention to continue using MAR. Meanwhile, performance expectancy plays a major role in ensuring pre-service teachers’ acceptance of using MAR in their learning process. It was anticipated that the formulated MAR structural model would offer insights and support forthcoming research endeavors aimed at fostering the sustainability of MAR utilization.
Keywords: mobile augmented reality, structural equation modelling, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, technology acceptance model, expectation confirmation model
Research Article
Thuthukile Jita, Alice Dhliwayo
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 3, Article No: ep520
ABSTRACT
The role of higher education in improving educational practices and access through research in technology innovations across the wider spectrum of schooling has especially increased in the information driven 21st century lifestyle. Pre-service teacher training plays a significant role in this transformation. For South Africa, research in technology integration has not provided requisite skills for teacher educators to bring about this envisaged transformation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the affordance of the design-based research (DBR) when combined with community of practice (CoP) framework in mitigating context-based technology integration related challenges and professional development in teacher education through the social learning theory. The qualitative paper explores the experiences teacher educators had of using tablets in a DBR as technology integration tools for contextual pedagogical practices. Teacher educators (n = 10), in one university in South Africa were given tablets to use over a year before they responded to semi-structured interviews about their experiences and were also observed as they engaged in both the CoP and in classroom practice. After a thematic analysis, the main results were that the CoP provided space for teacher educators to improve their confidence and technology integration skills. The combination of DBR and the CoP was found to be complementary in bridging the gap between theory and practice for teacher educators. The CoP provided the much needed safe space for professional growth and confidence building for teacher educators. However, learning engagements were limited by inadequacy of ICT tools for the students. In light of this, the implication of the study is that professional development plans for teacher educators in technology integration skills must be context based and subject specific through DBR programs for practical results and sustainability.
Keywords: community of practice, design-based research, pedagogical practices, modelling, professional development, tablet
Research Article
Emmanuel Fokides
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 8, Issue 1, pp. 56-75
ABSTRACT
The study examines the factors affecting Greek pre-service teachers’ intention to use
computers when they become practicing teachers. Four variables (perceived usefulness,
perceived ease of use, self-efficacy, and attitude toward use) as well as behavioral intention
to use computers were used so as to build a research model that extended the Technology
Acceptance Model (TAM) and structural equation modeling was used for parameter
estimation and model testing. Self-reported data were gathered from 487 pre-service
teachers studying at the Departments of Primary School Education in Greece. Results
revealed a good model fit and of the nine hypotheses formulated, seven were supported.
Overall, the TAM, with the addition of computer self-efficacy beliefs, adequately
represented the relationships among the factors. It also possesses the explanatory power
to predict pre-service teachers’ intention to use computers when they become practicing
teachers since a high percentage (68%) of the variance in behavioral intention to use
computers was explained, while the most influential factors were perceived usefulness and
attitude toward computers. Implications for practice are also discussed.
Keywords: attitudes toward computers, perceived ease of use, pre-srvice teachers, self-efficacy, structural equation modelling, technology acceptance model