An investigation of pre-service teachers' taking their instructors as a role model for utilizing information and communication technologies in education

The aim of this study is to examine pre-service teachers? taking their instructors as a role model in the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The data collection tool was developed by the researcher. The pilot study was conducted with 206 pre-service teachers. Then the validity and reliability analyzes were conducted. The study group is 1040 fourth grade pre-service teachers who are studying at two state universities in the spring term of the 2012-2013 academic year. Survey model was applied in the study. SPSS program was used for the analysis of data. Descriptive analysis, regression analysis, t-test and ANOVA analysis were conducted. According to the research results; pre-service teachers often learn how to use ICT with the help of studying on their own. They have mostly used Microsoft Office software, data storage devices and web sites in the lessons. They generally apply ICT in the active learning activities and think they are quite sufficient in the application of ICT. They took instructors as a role model in application of ICT. No significant differences were found in terms of gender in taking role model, but in terms of department significant differences were found. The following three items explain twenty percent of total variance of the pre-service teachers? taking their instructors as a role model in the application of ICT; their self-efficacy about the use of ICT, their utilization levels of ICT at active learning activities, and their observation to instructors in the ICT application,. This research that point to the importance of instructor is role model about ICT use.