Preparation of infographic-based digital educational materials with prospective science teachers: A case-based design development study

The aim of this study is to identify the factors affecting the digital competence of pre-service science teachers in the process of preparing infographic-based educational materials. A mixed research approach was adopted; combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, while using a case-based design development model for data collection. This study was conducted with 31 pre-service science teachers studying in the second year at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University during the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year and also included eleven pre-service teachers who were selected voluntarily for in-depth qualitative data. Quantitative data of the research were developed by Ng (2012), and gathered by the Digital Literacy Scale; which was adapted into the Turkish language by Üstündağ, Güneş, and Bahçivan (2017). The qualitative data were collected through audio and video recordings, the "Infographic Diary Design Form", and "Semi-Structured Infographic Interview Form" which were developed by the researchers. Additionally, the infographics prepared by pre-service teachers were evaluated by using a rubric evaluation. In the analysis of the data descriptive-statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical analysis program, and descriptive and content analysis methods were used together with the aid of the MAXQDA program. The positive and negative aspects of the designs and the design process; the developmental experiences, the gained skills, and the acquired opinions of the pre-service teachers reached to an extensive data with the aid of the science infographics prepared by these teacher candidates. The results of the research reveal that the science teachers showed significant improvements in their digital literacy skills and field knowledge throughout the process of preparing digital educational materials. Furthermore, they emphasized the view that infographics are effective materials that can be used in science education. It is thought that the infographic-based educational materials could be the basis for the pre-service teachers in preparing more effective and engaging educational materials; with the aid of the digital and pedagogic skills they acquired throughout the process.