EXPLORING THE ATTITUDE AND COMPETENCE OF TEACHERS WHILE USING INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The study was designed to explore the attitude and competence of teachers in using instructional technology (IT). For this purpose, the study aimed at; identifying the attitude of teachers towards using IT, determining the teacher’s competence in using IT during teachers’ training programs, and comparing the opinion of teachers and students about attitude and competence of teacher educators in using IT. Survey as a research design was used to execute the present study. The population of the study was 383 teachers and 2724 students of 33 Government Colleges for Elementary Teachers (GCETs) in the Punjab (Pakistan). Through the process of multistage sampling 231 teachers and 495 students were selected as a sample of the study. Questionnaire was used as an instrument of the study. Percentages, mean, standard deviation and t-test were applied for analysis of the data. It was found that the teachers working in teacher training colleges have highly positive attitude towards using IT in their teaching.  They were also competent enough about the use of the technological tools such as computer, internet, and they used these tools for active participation of their students, collaborative learning and feedback purposes. As compared to students, these teachers were more positive towards ‘attitude and competence’ in using instructional technology in teachers training programs... Training programs may be organized to promote the use of innovative technological tools in the teacher training institutions. The outcome of these sessions may be the Low-Cost material developed by the students during their teaching practice under the guidance of their supervisors.