Prospective teachers' perceptions of using technology in three different ways

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine prospective teachers' perceptions of using technology. In this study, data is collected through "Technology Perceptions Scale", visual association test and technology metaphors. The participants of the study are 104 senior prospective teachers who are studying at Balikesir University Necatibey Faculty of Education. In this descriptive study, the obtained quantitative data was interpreted together with qualitative data. Based on the data obtained, even though prospective teachers' perceptions of using technology are positive, there is no significant relation in terms of gender and undergraduate program. According to the results of visual association test, it can be said that prospective teachers ranked smartboard, internet and computer in the first three rank and portable media player, mobile phone and video/camera in the last three(rank). Besides prospective teachers' metaphors about technology are analyzed and classified under 9 categories: 1)developing and changing technology, 2)rapidly progressing technology, 3)limitless, endless technology, 4)beneficial technology, 5)harmful technology, 6)both beneficial and harmful technology, 7)unputdownable technology, 8)technology as a necessity, 9)all inclusive technology. At the end of the study, those nine categories which were acquired using the content analysis technique are presented in a table form which shows the interaction between categories in a holistic view.