A Study of the Practices of Trainees Regarding the Use of Technology in Teacher Education Program at University Level

Abstract

The use of technology has changed the style of teaching and learning. The use of technology in teacher-education program provides an effective teaching-learning environment which is encouraging for both the teachers and trainees in which they interact actively to achieve their goals. For this study Constructivist theory was used as a framework. Finding out how trainees use technology during the teaching-learning process in the classroom was the main goal of this study. This research study was both quantitative and qualitative in approach. Twelve (12) public universities of Punjab were selected to complete this study. For quantitative data, a sample of three hundred and sixty two (362) trainees was selected by using stratified random sampling technique. For collection of data a 5-point Likert type Rating Scale was prepared and administered to trainees. Frequencies, percentages, mean scores, t-tests, and correlation were used to assess numerical data, while thematic analysis techniques were used to analyse qualitative data. The results of the study showed that majority of the trainees were agreed that they have perception of technology and they do practices of technology and have some problems in practice like infrastructure, training, availability of resources etc in the use of technology during teaching-learning process. Although the value of connection between perception and practice was found to be low, it demonstrated that there was a favourable association between trainees' perceptions and actual use of technology during the teaching-learning process in the classroom. At the end, in the light of the findings and conclusion the researcher also gave few practical recommendations which are useful for higher Education Institution, teachers and trainees of pre-service teacher education program to facilitate technology supported instruction in their respective departments at university level to increase the standard of education.