walking the talk

Walking the talk: Going online as a trigger for more authentic use of ICT in teacher preparationPeter AlbionUniversity of Southern Queensland, Australia

Teacher preparation for using ICT Institutional & personal factors

◦ Teacher beliefs – confidence or self efficacy◦ Habitus – 12 y understanding of school

◦ Teachers tend to teach as they were taught

Must overwrite school experience◦ Modeling◦ Using contemporary tools & methods

Teacher educators must change◦Needs impetus for change

◦ At USQ that has been taking the program online

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USQ context Established 1967

◦ Single campus◦ Distance since 1980s

◦ Print + audio teleconferencing

Teacher Education c 1970◦ Face-to-face for UG◦ Distance for PG

Now 3 main campuses◦ Southern Queensland◦ Global online offerings

4

ICT in pre-service teacher education

2015201020052000

Core ICT pedagogy course

ICT integrated across program

Core IT skills course + ICT electives

Core ICT pedagogy course

5

Taking teacher education online

2015201020052000

First PG courses online

First UG courses online

Complete UG program online

All PG courses by Distance

All PG courses online

70% UG load online

All UG courses face-to-face

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Data collection TPACK confidence scale at USQ◦2009 – final year students◦2010 – all years

National project evaluation◦TPACK confidence scale used as base

◦ Common items included◦2011 – all years x 2 (May & July)

◦ 9422 responses nationally◦ 508 responses at USQ

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Results ANOVA by program year

◦Confidence increases through program 2009 2011 increase in scores

◦Program performance increased over time 2011 T1 2011 T2

◦Smaller increases◦ Short time for change◦ Consolidated earlier gains

USQ vs National◦ > on 5 of 6 sub-scales at T1◦ Positive result for program

USQ year to year comparison

provide motivation for curriculum tasks

actively construct knowledge that integrates curriculum areas

synthesise their knowledge

acquire the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes to deal with on-going technological change

develop deep understanding about a topic of interest relevant to the curriculum area/s being studied

develop understanding of the world

engage in sustained involvement with curriculum activities

engage in independent learning through access to education at a time, place and pace of their own choosing

acquire awareness of the global implications of ICT-based technologies on society

understand and participate in the changing knowledge economy

Mean score

1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

2011 T2 2011 T1 2010 2009

How confident are you that you have the knowledge, skills and abilities to support students’ use of ICT to …

USQ-National comparison 2011 T1

provide motivation for curriculum tasks

actively construct knowledge that integrates curriculum areas

synthesise their knowledge

acquire the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes to deal with on-going technological change

develop deep understanding about a topic of interest relevant to the curriculum area/s being studied

develop understanding of the world

engage in sustained involvement with curriculum activities*

engage in independent learning …of their own choosing*

acquire awareness of the global implications of ICT-based technologies on society

understand and participate in the knowledge economy*

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

USQ National

How confident are you that you have the knowledge, skills and abilities to support students’ use of ICT to …

Sub-scale comparisons 2011 T1Confidence

TPK* TCK* TPCK*0

1

2

3

4

5

6

NationalUSQ

Usefulness

TPK* TCK TPCK*0

1

2

3

4

5

6

NationalUSQ

Overall result USQ program is ◦Making a difference to TPACK confidence

◦Improving effect over time◦Higher than national average at start of national project

Possible explanations 2010 reintroduction of ICT pedagogy course◦ Removed in 2003 accreditation◦ Integration across program less successful

2009+ online offer of all courses◦ ≥ 50% of enrolment in any course◦ Almost all students take some online courses◦ Increased exposure to ICT for ALL students

Conclusion Cautious optimism Program changes have had positive effects Importance of walking the talk

◦ Use tools and methods of contemporary classrooms◦ Pre-service students

◦ Experience learning with & through ICT◦ Observe teacher educators committed to learning

◦ Teacher educators◦ Teaching online requires more ICT use◦ Recorded presentations◦ Synchronous teaching sessions◦ Result is increasing skills & confidence, higher expectations of PST use

ContactPeter.Albion@usq.edu.au