Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

All aboard or still at check-in? Teacher educators’ use of digital technologies: Lessons from a small island

  • Published:
Education and Information Technologies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Teachers are increasingly integrating ICT into formal education (McKnight et al. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 48(3), 194–211, 2016), helping to incorporate technologies in learning and teaching. However, an important expectation relating to ICT integration is that Initial Teacher Educators model their own practice as well as developing digital skills and competencies in pre-service teachers (Haydn 2010; Gudmundsdottir and Hatlevik European Journal of Teacher Education, 41(2), 214–231, 2018). To test these expectations, this paper reports on a convergent mixed methods study that consisted of twelve interviews with Initial Teacher Educators as well as a series of questionnaires that were distributed to four teacher education providers in Ireland and four in Northern Ireland. Findings suggest that, while there are certainly pockets of excellence and some individual models of good practice, it is evident that there is a limited coherent integration of ICT within and across Initial Teacher Education providers, despite efforts to achieve this.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Graph 1
Graph 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Angeli, C., & Valanides, N. (2009). Epistemological and methodological issues for the conceptualization, development and assessment of ICT-TPCK: Advances in technological pedagogical content knowledge. Computers & Education, 52, 154–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becta (2004). A review of the research literature on barriers to the uptake of ICT by teachers. Available online from http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/1603/1/becta_2004_barrierstouptake_litrev.pdf Accessed 5.3.2018.

  • Bingimlas, K. A. (2009). Barriers to the successful integration of ICT in teaching and learning environments: A review of the literature. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 5(3), 235–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cowan, P., Neil, P. & Winter, E. (2011). Face-zine the future: moving to online teaching. ESCalate. Available from http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/207287.pdf . Accessed 1.2.18.

  • Cuckle, P., & Clarke, S. (2002) Mentoring student‐teachers in schools: views, practices and access to ICT. Journal of Computer assisted learning, 18(3), 330–340.

  • Dawson, V. (2008). Use of information and communication technology by early career science teachers in Western Australia. International Journal of Science Education, 30(2), 203–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Education and Science DES. (1997). Schools IT2000—A policy framework for the new millennium. Dublin: Stationery Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eifler, K., Greene, T., & Carroll, J. (2001). Walking the talk is tough: From a single technology course to infusion. The Educational Forum, 65(4), 366–375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari, A. (2012). Digital competence in practice: An analysis of frameworks. Joint Research Centre Technical Reports: European Commission.

  • Foulger, T. S., Graziano, K. J., Schmidt-Crawford, D. A., & Slykhuis, D. A. (2017). Teacher educator technology competencies. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 25(4), 413–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galanouli, D., Murphy, C., & Gardner, J. (2004). Teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of ICT-competence training. Computers & Education, 43(1–2), 63–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gil-Flores, J., Rodríguez, J., & Torres-Gordillo, J.-J. (2017). Factors that explain the use of ICT in secondary-education classrooms: The role of teacher characteristics and school infrastructure. Computers in Human Behavior, 68, 441–449.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goktas, Y., Yildirim, Z., & Yildirim, S. (2008). A review of ICT related courses in pre-service teacher education programs. Asia Pacific Education Review, 9(2), 168–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gudmundsdottir, G. B., & Hatlevik, O. (2018). Newly qualified teachers’ professional digital competence: Implications for teacher education. European Journal of Teacher Education, 41(2), 214–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, M., Reynolds, L., & Ingram, J. (2011). How and why do student teachers use ICT? Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 27, 191–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haydn, T. (2010). Lessons learned? Teaching student teachers to use ICT in their subject teaching: A view from the UK. Australian Educational Computing, 24(2) 35–40. Available from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ898064 Accessed 28th February 2018.

  • Haydn, T. (2014). How do you get pre-service teachers to become ‘good at ICT’ in their subject teaching? The views of expert practitioners. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 23(4), 455–469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haydn, T. A., & Barton, R. (2007). Common needs and different agendas: How trainee teachers make progress in their ability to use ICT in subject teaching. Some lessons from the UK. Computers & Education, 49, 1018–1036.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedberg, J. G. (2011). Towards a disruptive pedagogy: Changing classroom practice with technologies and digital content. Educational Media International, 48(1), 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kay, R. H. (2006) Evaluating strategies used to incorporate technology into pre-service education: A review of the literature. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38(4), 383–408.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Kidd, W. (2013). Framing pre-service teachers’ professional learning using Web2.0 tools: Positioning pre-service teachers as agents of cultural and technological change. Professional Development in Education, 39(2), 260–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kontkanen, S., Dillon, P., Valtonen, T., Renkola, S., Vesisenaho, M., & Väisänen, P. (2016). Pre-service teachers’ experiences of ICT in daily life and in educational contexts and their proto-technological pedagogical knowledge. Education and Information Technologies, 21, 919–943.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krumsvik, R. J. (2014). Teacher educators' digital competence. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 58(3), 269–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Livingstone, S. (2012). Critical reflections on the benefits of ICT in education. Oxford Review of Education, 38(1), 9–24.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Løvlie, L., & Standish, P. (2002). Introduction: Bildung and the idea of a liberal education. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 36(3), 317–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luik, P., Taimalu, M., & Suviste, R. (2018). Perceptions of technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) among pre-service teachers in Estonia. Education and Information Technologies, 23, 741–755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, K., & Anderson, J. (2008). The Emperor’s new clothes? A meta-study of education technology policies in Ireland, north and south (1996–2006). Computers & Education, 50(2), 463–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGarr, O., & Johnston, K. (2019). Exploring the evolution of educational technology policy in Ireland: From catching-up to pedagogical maturity. Educational Policy. https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904819843597.

  • McGarr, O., & O'Brien, J. (2007). Teacher professional development and ICT: An investigation of teachers studying a postgraduate award in ICT in education. Irish Educational Studies, 26(2), 145–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKnight, K., O'Malley, K., Ruzic, R., Horsley, M. K., Franey, J. J., & Bassett, K. (2016). Teaching in a digital age: How educators use technology to improve student learning. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 48(3), 194–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murtagh, B., & Shirlow, P. (2012). Devolution and the politics of development in Northern Ireland. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 30, 46–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nordkvelle, Y. T., & Olson, J. (2005). Visions for ICT, ethics and the practice of teachers. Education and Information Technologies, 10(1/2), 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor, L. (2016). The Digital Transition; ICT in Childhood and Early Childhood Settings in Ireland. An Leanbh Óg 163-176.

  • Parasuraman, A., & Colby, C. L. (2015). An updated and streamlined technology readiness index: TRI 2.0. Journal of Service Research, 18(1), 59–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Passey, D & Anderson, J. (2018). School improvement through digital technologies: Using managed service/support in schools in Northern Ireland with case studies of success. Available from https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/128889/1/School_improvement_through_digital_technologies_Paper_final_draft.pdf. Accessed 24 June 2019.

  • Pettersson, F. (2018). On the issues of digital competence in educational contexts – A review of the literature. Education and Information Technologies, 23, 1005–1021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polly, D., Mims, C., Shepherd, C. E., & Inan, F. (2010). Evidence of impact: Transforming teacher education with preparing tomorrow’s teachers to teach with technology (PT3) grants. Teaching and Teacher Education, 26(4), 863–870.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prestridge, S. (2012). The beliefs behind the teacher that influences their ICT practices. Computers & Education, 58, 449–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prestridge, S., & Tondeur, J. (2015). Exploring elements that support teachers’ engagement in online professional development. Education Sciences, 5(3), 199–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sang, G., Valcke, M., van Braak, J., & Tondeur, J. (2010). Student teachers’ thinking processes and ICT integration: Predictors of prospective teaching behaviors with educational technology. Computers & Education, 54, 103–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, M., Payne, F., Munro, R., & Lynch, E. (1998). Using information and communications technology as a pedagogical tool: A survey of initial teacher education in Scotland. Journal of Information Technology for Teacher Education, 7(3), 431–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tearle, P., & Golder, G. (2008) The use of ICT in the teaching and learning of physical education in compulsory education: how do we prepare the workforce of the future?. European Journal of Teacher Education, 31(1), 55–72

  • Tømte, C., Enochsson, A.-B., Buskqvist, U., & Kårstein, A. (2015). Educating online student teachers to master professional digital competence: The TPACK-framework goes online. Computers & Education, 84, 26–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tondeur, J., van Braak, J., Sang, G., Voogt, J., Fisser, P., & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. (2012). Preparing pre-service teachers to integrate technology in education: A synthesis of qualitative evidence. Computers & Education, 59, 134–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tondeur, J., van Braak, J., Siddiq, F., & Scherer, R. (2016). Time for a new approach to prepare future teachers for educational technology use: Its meaning and measurement. Computers & Education, 94, 134–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uhomoibhi, J. O. (2006). Implementing e-learning in Northern Ireland: Prospects and challenges. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 23(1), 4–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO (2011). ICT competency framework for teachers. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris Available from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002134/213475E.pdf Accessed 28.2.18.

  • Valtonen, T., Kukkonen, J., Kontkanen, S., Sormunen, K., & Dillon, P. (2015). The impact of authentic learning experiences with ICT on pre-service teachers' intentions to use ICT for teaching and learning. Computers & Education, 81, 49–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van den Beemt, A., & Diepstraten, I. (2016). Teacher perspectives on ICT: A learning ecology approach. Computers & Education, 92-93, 161–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Standing Conference on Teacher Education, North and South, (SCoTENS).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK

    Stephen Roulston & Roger Austin

  2. Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

    Pamela Cowan

  3. Dublin City University, Dublin City, Ireland

    Martin Brown & Joe O’Hara

Authors
  1. Stephen Roulston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pamela Cowan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Martin Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roger Austin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Joe O’Hara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen Roulston.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Roulston, S., Cowan, P., Brown, M. et al. All aboard or still at check-in? Teacher educators’ use of digital technologies: Lessons from a small island. Educ Inf Technol 24, 3785–3802 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-09951-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-09951-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation