Preservice Teachers' Self-Efficacy for Technology Integration

This study was designed to explore how vicarious
learning experiences and goal setting influence
preservice teachers self-efficacy for technology
integration. Two hundred and eighty participants
were divided into eighteen lab sections, which were
assigned into four conditions (3 experimental and 1
control). An instrument measuring self-efficacy for
computer technology integration was developed and
validated. The instrument was administered as pre-
and post-surveys to examine participants self-
efficacy beliefs for technology integration. Results
showed significant treatment effects for vicarious
experiences and goal setting. A significantly more
powerful effect was found when vicarious learning
experiences and goal setting were both present
compared to when only one of the two factors was
present. From the perspective of teacher educators,
the use of vicarious learning experiences and the
incorporation of learning goals may help preservice
teachers develop the confidence they need to become
effective technology users, which in turn can help
meaningful technology use be the norm, rather than
the exception, in our K-12 classrooms.

Autorentext
Ling Wang is an associate professor of educational technology at
Nova Southeastern University. She received her Ph.D. from Purdue
University. She teaches courses on learning theories and
research methodology. Her research interests involve educational
applications of Web 2.0 technologies and faculty
professional development.