An investigation into pre - service social studies teachers' views on the use of technology in education

As in other countries all around the world, one of the most important aims of Turkish National Education is to raise individuals who are equipped with the necessary knowledge of this time and age, who can adapt themselves to the physical environment and love their country and who are able to solve problems. This study aimed to investigate pre-service social studies teachers' views on the use of technology in education. In the quantitative section of the study, an attitude scale, which was developed by Yavuz (2005), was utilised. In the qualitative section, experts' opinions were obtained, a four-item questionnaire was created and was tested on eleven teacher candidates (including some senior students) by utilising purposeful sampling and focus group discussion techniques. The data obtained from this study aimed to contribute to the related literature. Main findings of the study were as follows: 1- Pre-service social studies teachers' attitude scores towards technology did not significantly differ from each other in terms of gender. 2- Pre-service social studies teachers' attitude scores towards technology did not significantly differ from each other in terms of their grade levels. 3- Pre-service social studies teachers' attitude scores towards technology did not significantly differ from each other in terms of the type of high school they graduated. 4- Pre-service social studies teachers' attitude scores towards technology significantly differed from each other in terms of the use of technology in the classroom by the staff members. 5- Pre-service social studies teachers' attitude scores towards technology significantly differed from each other in terms of the level of technological capabilities in the classrooms. 6- Pre-service social studies teachers' attitude scores towards technology significantly differed from each other in terms of the use of Internet in the course of teaching ın the classrooms. The findings obtained in this study showed that gender, grade level, and the type of high school graduated did not have significant impact on pre-service social studies teachers' attitudes towards technology. However, staff members' use of technology in their classrooms, the presence of technological devices in the classrooms, the use of Internet in the course of teaching had significant impact on their attitudes towards technology. These findings implied that educational institutes might have some shortcomings about infrastructure and might also point to staff members' inadequacy in terms of their academic backgrounds. Thus, these educational institutes are recommended to supply technological equipments that are necessary in the classroom and provide professional development programs to the staff members in order for them to increase the use of technology in their classrooms. Keywords 1. The Use of Technology in Education 2. Social Studies Education 3. Technology and Attitude in the Teaching of Social Studies 4. Social Studies Pre-service Teachers