Exploring the link between basic ICT competence beliefs and technology use for student teachers and teachers: A use of bifactor exploratory structural equation models

Abstract

Basic ICT competence beliefs consist of a range of competence dimensions, including communication and collaboration and safety and security. Yet, unclear is if (student) teachers need to overall feel competence in using technology, or is feeling competent in specific competence dimensions sufficient for the use of technology. This study addressed this research lack and examined (a) basic ICT competence beliefs and technology use in different stages of teacher education and (b) the association between basic ICT competence beliefs and various hardware and software used. Data included 338 teachers and 343 student teachers from Germany and were analyzed using bifactor exploratory structural equation models. These models allow us to simultaneously account for general basic ICT competence beliefs (G-Factor) and specific basic ICT competence beliefs (S-Factors). The study found that teachers, on average, reported higher basic ICT competence beliefs than student teachers. For both student teachers and teachers, the use of wikis and forum was linked to higher general ICT competence beliefs. The use of LMS was linked to basic ICT competence beliefs in safety and security and problem solving. The study also identified unique links in both groups, such as wiki and weblog use being linked to higher general ICT competence beliefs for teachers. In various teacher education phases, we can emphasize the need to promote basic ICT competence beliefs to empower teachers in the digital transformation. By interpreting these results, however, it should be noted that our analysis only focused on utilizing particular hardware and software; replications of findings are also needed.