Digital and online tools employed by prospective teachers to access information

Year 2024, , 171 - 194, 16.03.2024

N. Tayyibe Ateş , Nurcan Tekin

https://doi.org/10.21449/ijate.1359251

Abstract

The proliferation of digital information technologies has underscored the heightened necessity for online information search. This study is directed towards the analysis of the strategies adopted by prospective teachers in the selection of digital content employed for accessing information, their preferences concerning the use of digital and online tools, and the rationale that underpins these preferences. To achieve this aim, the case study method was used. Employing the purposive sampling method, the study involved a participant pool of 72 teacher candidates in the 3rd and 4th grades within the faculties of education. To collect data, a personal information form, an online interview form, a focus group interview form, and a word association test were employed. The data were analyzed using the content and descriptive analysis methods. At the end of the study, the prospective teachers expressed a common tendency that when it comes to scientific research, they often prefer to search for articles whereas for more general inquiries, they have a propensity for utilizing internet searches. Most of the prospective teachers follow a step-by-step research process when accessing information. In addition, they employ both goal-oriented and general-content resources while in pursuit of scientific information. They pay attention to data reliability, accurate information, speed, and access to the Internet in the process of obtaining information. They consider the tools they use adequate and reliable. Teacher candidates establish complex conceptual networks among the array of tools they employ to access information. A comprehensive discussion concerning the outcomes of the research is also presented.

Keywords

Digital and online tools, Access to information, Digital literacy, Information literacy, Media literacy

References

• Ackerman, R., Yom-Tov, E., & Torgovitsky, I. (2020). Using confidence and consensuality to predict time invested in problem solving and in real-life web searching. Cognition, 199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2020.104248
• Alaca, M.B., Yaman, H., & Er-Nas, S. (2020). Using the word association test to examine life skills cognitive structures of pre-service science teachers. Journal of Science Learning, 4(1), 69-79. https://doi.org/10.17509/jsl.v4i1.25441
• Alelaimat, A.M., Ihmeideh, F.M., & Alkhawaldeh, M.F. (2020). Preparing preservice teachers for technology and digital media integration: Implications for early childhood teacher education programs. International Journal of Early Childhood, 52, 299-317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-020-00276-2
• Altıner, S. (2019). Developing digital literacies of pre-service EFL teachers through engagement with research [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Bahçeşehir.
• Aşkar, P., & Mazman, S.G. (2013). Adaptation of online information searching strategy inventory into Turkish. Education and Science, 38(168), 167 182. http://egitimvebilim.ted.org.tr/index.php/EB/article/view/1288
• Avcı, Ü. & Candan, Ö. (2023). Öğretmenlerin bilgi teknolojileri okuryazarlık düzeylerine göre endüstri 4.0 farkındalıklarının incelenmesi [Examination of industry 4.0 awareness of teachers according to their information technology literacy levels]. Journal of Necmettin Erbakan University Ereğli Faculty of Education, 5(1), 160 178. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/neueefd/issue/78300/1287446
• Bahar, M., Alex H., Johnstone, & Sutcliffe, R. (1999). Investigation of students’ cognitive structure in elementary genetics through word association tests. Journal of Biological Education, 33(3), 134-141. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.1999.9655653
• Bahar, M., & Özatlı, N.S. (2003). Kelime iletişim test yöntemi ile lise 1. sınıf öğrencilerinin canlıların temel bileşenleri konusundaki bilişsel yapılarının araştırılması [Investigation of the cognitive structure of first grade high school students on the basic components of living things using the word communication test method]. Journal of Balıkesir University Institute of Science and Technology, 5(2), 75 85. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/baunfbed/issue/24783/261831#article_cite
• Berget, G., & Macfarlane, A. (2020). What is known about the impact of impairments on information-seeking and searching?. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 71(5), 596-611. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24256
• Boyacı, Z. (2019). Öğretmen adaylarının yaşam boyu öğrenme eğilimleri ile dijital okuryazarlık düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki (Düzce Üniversitesi Örneği) [The relationship between lifelong learning tendencies and digital literacy levels of pre-service teachers (A Düzce University sample)] [Unpublished master dissertation]. University of Sakarya.
• Chen, Y.J., Chien, H.M., & Kao, C.P. (2019). Online searching behaviours of preschool teachers: A comparison of pre-service and in-service teachers’ evaluation standards and searching strategies. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 47(1), 66-80. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359866X.2018.1442556
• Çaka, C., Doğan-Barut, E., & Şahin, Y. (2016). Sosyal ağ kullanan öğrencilerin çevrimiçi bilgi arama stratejilerinin çeşitli değişkenler açısından incelenmesi [The examination of online information searching strategies of students that use social network]. Trakya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi [Trakya University Journal of Education], 6(1), 1-13. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/200421
• Çebi, A., Bahçekapılı-Özdemir, T., Reisoğlu, İ., & Çolak, C. (2022). From digital competencies to technology integration: Re-formation of pre-service teachers’ knowledge and understanding. International Journal of Educational Research, 113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.101965
• Çelen, F.K. & Seferoğlu, S.S. (2017). İnternet ortamında öğrencilerin bilgi arama biçimleri: Stratejiler, tarzlar, tutumlar, gözlemler ve sorunlarla ilgili bir değerlendirme [Students’ information search types on the Internet: An evaluation of strategies, styles, attitudes, observations and problems.]. In Ö. Demirel & S. Dinçer (Eds.). Eğitim bilimlerinde yenilik ve nitelik arayışı [The search for innovation and qualifications in educational sciences] (pp. 1147-1160). Pegem Academy.
• Enochsson, A.B. (2019). Teenage pupils’ searching for information on the internet. Information Research, 24(1). http://InformationR.net/ir/24-1/isic2018/isic1822.html
• Erdem, C., Oruç, E., Atar, C., & Bağcı, H. (2022). The mediating effect of digital literacy in the relationship between media literacy and digital citizenship. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 4875-4891. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11354-4
• Erdoğan, Ş. & Bozkurt, E. (2023). Fizik öğretmen adaylarının “yapay zekâ” kavramına ilişkin algılarının incelenmesi: Bir metafor çalışması [Examining the Perceptions of Prospective Physics Teachers on the Concept of “Artificial Intelligence”: A Metaphor Study]. Medeniyet ve Toplum Dergisi [The Journal of Civilization and Society], 7(2), 55-65. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/metder/issue/81808/1412874
• Geçer, A., & İra, N. (2015). Examining information in web environment searching and commitment strategies of university students according to demographic variables. Education and Science, 40(179), 383-402. http://dx.doi.org/10.15390/EB.2015.3131
• Gilster, P. (1997). Digital literacy. John Wiley.
• Gürsoy, D. (2019). A critical review of determinants of information search behavior and utilization of online reviews in the decision making process. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 76, 53-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2018.06.003
• Hamutoğlu, N., Güngören, Ö.C., Uyanık, G.K., & Erdoğan, D.G. (2017). Dijital okuryazarlık ölçeği: Türkçe’ye uyarlama çalışması [Adapting digital literacy scale into Turkish]. Ege Journal of Education, 18(1), 408-429. https://doi.org/10.12984/egeefd.295306
• Kara, S. (2020). Öğretmen adaylarının dijital okuryazarlık düzeyleri ile web ortamında bilgi arama ve yorumlama stratejileri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi [Examination of the relationship between digital literacy levels of teacher candidates and information search and interpretation strategies in the web environment] [Unpublished master dissertation]. University of Necmettin Erbakan.
• Kaya-Özgül, B., Aktaş, N., & Çetinkaya-Özdemir, E. (2023). Sınıf öğretmenlerinin ve sınıf öğretmeni adaylarının dijital okuryazarlık düzeylerinin çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelenmesi [Examination of digital literacy levels of primary school teachers and primary school teacher candidates according to various variables]. Cumhuriyet International Journal of Education, 12(1), 204 221. https://dx.doi.org/10.30703/cije.1191366
• Kolburan-Geçer, A., İra, N., Yenal, H., Bozcan, E., Yalçınkaya, M., & Dinçer, A.T. (2017). Sınıf öğretmenliği bölümü ve beden eğitimi bölümü öğrencilerinin web ortamında bilgi arama-yorumlama stratejilerinin belirlenmesi [The determination of the web-information search and interpret strategies of the students at class-teaching and pe teaching departments]. International Journal of New Trends in Arts, Sports &Science Education, 6(3), 16-33. http://www.ijtase.net/index.php/ijtase/article/view/155
• Koltay, T. (2011). The media and the literacies: Media literacy, ı̇nformation literacy, digital literacy. Media, Culture & Society, 33(2), 211 221. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443710393382
• Korkmaz, M. (2020). Sınıf öğretmenlerinin dijital okuryazarlık seviyelerinin belirlenmesi [Determining digital literacy levels of primary school teachers] [Unpublished master dissertation]. University of Eskişehir Osmangazi.
• Kozan, M., & Bulut-Özek, M. (2019). BÖTE bölümü öğretmen adaylarının dijital okuryazarlık düzeyleri ve siber zorbalığa ilişkin duyarlılıklarının incelenmesi [Examination of department of CEIT teacher candidates’ digital literacy levels and cyberbullying sensitivities]. Fırat University Journal of Social Sciences, 29(1), 107 120. https://doi.org/10.18069/firatsbed.538657
• Krueger, R.A., & Casey, M.A. (1994). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Sage.
• Kurulgan, M., & Argan, M. (2007). Anadolu Üniversitesi öğrencilerinin ı̇nternet üzerinden bilgi arama davranışları [Information seeking behavior of Anadolu University students on the internet]. Journal of Graduate School of Social Sciences, 9(1), 291 304. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ataunisosbil/issue/2819/38001
• Lai, C.L. (2020). From organization to elaboration: Relationships between university students’ online information searching experience and judgements. Journal of Computers in Education, 7, 463-485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-020-00163-8
• Leu, J.D., Kinzer, K.C., Coiro, J., Castek, J., & Henry, A.L. (2017). New literacies: A dual-level theory of the changing nature of literacy, instruction, and assessment. Journal of Education, 197(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/002205741719700202
• List, A., Brante, E.W., & Klee, H.L. (2020). A framework of pre-service teachers’ conceptions about digital literacy: Comparing the United States and Sweden. Computers & Education, 148, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103788
• Martin, A., & Grudziecki, J. (2006). Digeulit: Concepts and tools for digital literacy development. Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Information and Computer Sciences, 5(4), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.11120/ital.2006.05040249
• McGarr, O., & Ó Gallchóir, C. (2020). Examining supervising field instructors’ reporting and assessment of technology use by pre-service teachers on school placement. Computers & Education, 146, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103753
• Méndez, V.G., Suelves, D.M., Méndez, C.G., & Ramon-Llin Mas, J.A. (2023). Future teachers facing the use of technology for inclusion: A view from the digital competence. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 9305-9323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11105-5
• Miles, M.B., & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage.
• Ministry of National Education (MoNE). (2020). Digital literacy teacher's guide. http://cdn.eba.gov.tr/kitap/digital/#p=1
• Onursoy, S. (2018). Üniversite gençliğinin dijital okuryazarlık düzeyleri: Anadolu Üniversitesi öğrencileri üzerine bir araştırma [Digital literacy levels of university youth: Research on the students of Anadolu University]. Gümüşhane University e-Journal of Faculty of Communication, 6(2), 989-1013. https://doi.org/10.19145/e-gifder.422671
• Özkaral, T.C., & Akdoğan, V. (2022). Ortaokul öğrencilerinin sivil toplum kuruluşlarına yönelik bilişsel yapılarının kelime ilişkilendirme testiyle incelenmesi [Examining the cognitive structures of secondary school students towards nongovernmental organizations through word associatıon test]. Ahmet Keleşoğlu Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 4(2), 398-425. https://doi.org/10.38151/akef.2022.25
• Öztürk, Y. (2020). Dijital okuryazarlık hakkında lise öğrencilerinin kendilerine ve anne-babalarına yönelik görüşleri Kırıkkale ili örneği [High school students' opinion on digital literacy on self and mother-faters example of Kırıkkale] [Unpublished master dissertation]. University of Gazi.
• Park, H., Kim, H.S., & Park, H.W. (2020). A scientometric study of digital literacy, ICT literacy, information literacy, and media literacy. Journal of Data and Information Science, 6(2), 116-138. https://doi.org/10.2478/Jdis-2021-0001
• Polizzi, G. (2020). Digital literacy and the national curriculum for England: Learning from how the experts engage with and evaluate online content. Computers & Education, 152, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103859
• Pozas, M., & Letzel, V. (2023). “Do you think you have what it takes?” – Exploring predictors of pre-service teachers’ prospective ICT use. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 28, 823-841. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-021-09551-0
• Reisoğlu, İ., & Çebi, A. (2020). How can the digital competencies of pre-service teachers be developed? Examining a case study through the lens of DigComp and DigCompEdu. Computers & Education, 156, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103940
• Reisoğlu, İ., Çebi, A., & Bahçekapılı, T. (2022). Online information searching behaviours: Examining the impact of task complexity, information searching experience, and cognitive style. Interactive Learning Environments 30(3), 417 434. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2019.1662456
• Sendurur, E., Efendioğlu, E., Senturk, H., & Calıskan, N. (2019). High achievers’ web searching behaviors and patterns in two different task types. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 28(2), 217 238. https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/182423/
• Sırakaya, M., & Çakır, H. (2014). Determination of teacher candidates’ online searching strategies. Kırşehir Education Faculty Journal (KEFAD), 15(2), 191-206. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/kefad/issue/59460/854348
• Student Selection and Placement Centre (SSPC) (2023). PPSE: Public Personnel Selection Examination. Turkish Republic Organisation of Student Selection and Placement Centre. https://www.osym.gov.tr/TR,8837/hakkinda.html
• Tekin, A., & Polat, E. (2017). Investigation of digital empowerment levels and online information searching strategies of teacher candidates in terms of various variables. Trakya Journal of Education, 7(2), 635-658. https://doi.org/10.24315/trkefd.304174
• Toquero, C.M.D. (2021). “Real-world:” preservice teachers' research competence and research difficulties in action research. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 13(1), 126-148. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-03-2019-0060
• Topal, A.D., & Süner, M. (2020). Information searching and commitment strategies of maritime faculty students on the web. Information Development, 37(3), 1 13. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666920903782
• Torres-Hernández, N., & Gallego-Arrufat, M.J. (2022). Indicators to assess preservice teachers’ digital competence in security: A systematic review. Education and Information Technologies, 27, 8583–8602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-10978-w
• Turan, Z., Reisoğlu, İ., Özçelik, E., & Göktaş, Y. (2015). The examination of teacher's online information-searching strategies in terms of different variables. Kastamonu Education Journal, 23(1), 1-16. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/kefdergi/issue/22600/241445
• Üstündağ, M.T., Güneş, E., & Bahçivan, E. (2017). Turkish adaptation of digital literacy scale and investigating pre-service science teachers’ digital literacy. Journal of Education and Future, (12), 19-29. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/jef/issue/30777/332813
• Wu, Y.T., & Tsai, C.C. (2007). Developing an information commitment survey for assessing students’ web information searching strategies and evaluative standards for web materials. Educational Technology & Society, 10(2), 120 132. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/75300/
• Yalçınalp, S., & Aşkar, P. (2003). Öğrencilerin bilgi arama amacıyla İnterneti kullanım biçimlerinin ı̇ncelenmesi [Examination of students' use of the Internet for information seeking]. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 2(4), 100-107. http://www.tojet.net/articles/v2i4/2415.pdf
• Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2021). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri [Qualitative research methods in the social sciences] (12nd ed.). Seçkin Publishing.
• Yin, R.K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage.
• Zimmermann, M., Engel, O., & Mayweg-Paus, E. (2022). Pre-service teachers’ search strategies when sourcing educational information on the Internet. Frontiers in Education, 7, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.976346
• Zipke, M., Ingle, J.C., & Moorehead, T. (2019). The effects of modeling the use of technology with pre service teachers. Computers in the Schools, 36(3), 205 221. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380569.2019.1640038
• Zhou, M., & Lam, K.K. (2019). Metacognitive scaffolding for online information search in K-12 and higher education settings: A systematic review. Education Tech Research, 67, 1353-1384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-019-09646-7