Predictive Relationship of Student Teachers' Motivation towards Integrating Technology in the Practicum Program at Teacher Preparation Institutions

Abstract

The study aims to elicit Kuwait University student teachers' perceptions towards integrating technology in teaching during the practicum program in public schools. It also aims to investigate the effect of some variables such as predictive indicators on student teachers motivation towards integrating technology in teaching practice )practicum(. These variables included technology self-efficacy, school environment (using school facilities and using personal facilities(, incentives, teaching knowledge/skills and motivation. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 340 student teachers enrolled in the practicum program during the academic year 2013/2014. The results revealed that the technology self-efficacy variable was a predictive indicator for the positive perceptions the sample had towards their teaching knowledge/ skills. In addition, teaching knowledge/skills were a predictive indicator for two variables, namely incentives and using personal facilities, which in turn were predictive indicators for the motivation of student teachers towards integrating technology in the classroom. Furthermore, findings indicated that the student teachers faced some obstacles related to variables of environment and incentives. The study suggested some recommendations related to integrating technology in the practicum program.