Skip to main content
Log in

Modelling pre-service teachers’ perceived usefulness of an ICT-based student-centred learning (SCL) curriculum: a Singapore study

  • Published:
Asia Pacific Education Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence pre-service teachers’ perceived usefulness of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) course that was conducted using the student-centred learning (SCL) approach. In this study, perceived usefulness was used as the dependent variable and perceived competence, course delivery, facilitating conditions and learning environment as independent variables. The results of this study showed that perceived competence and course delivery have direct effects on pre-service teachers’ perceived usefulness of the course, while learning environment and facilitating conditions affect perceived usefulness indirectly. Overall, the results support the hypothesis that the four selected variables in this study affect perceived usefulness and that the resulting model is an adequate fit to the observed relationships among the factors that influenced pre-service teachers’ perceived usefulness of an ICT course.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albee, J. (2003). A study of pre-service teachers’ technology skill preparedness and examples of how it can be increased. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 11, 53–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • APA Work Group of the Board of Educational Affairs. (1993). Learner-centred psychological principles: Guidelines for school redesign and reform. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • APA Work Group of the Board of Educational Affairs. (1997). Learner-centred psychological principles: A framework for school reform and redesign. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arbaugh, J. B. (2000). Virtual classroom characteristics and student satisfaction with internet-based MBA courses. Journal of Management Education, 24, 32–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arbuckle, J. L. (2006). AMOS (Version 7.0) [Computer Program]. Chicago: SPSS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baek, Y., Jung, J., & Kim, B. (2008). What makes teacher use technology in the classroom? Exploring the factors affecting facilitation of technology with a Korean sample. Computers and Education, 50, 224–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benson, D. E., & Mekolichick, J. (2007). Conceptions of self and the use of digital technologies in a learning environment. Education (Chula Vista, Calif.), 127, 498–510.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonk, C. J., & Cunningham, D. J. (1998). Searching for learner-centred, constructivist, and sociocultural components of collaborative educational learning tools. In C. J. Bonk & K. S. King (Eds.), Electronic Collaborators: Learner-centred technology for literacy, apprenticeship, and discourse (pp. 25–50). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (Eds.). (1999). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. M. (2003). Learner-centred conditions that ensure students’ success in learning. Education, 124, 99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates.

  • Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13, 319–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeVellis, R. F. (2003). Scale development (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dillon, C. L., & Gunawardena, C. N. (1995). A framework for the evaluation of telecommunications-based distance education. In D. Stewart (Ed.), Selected papers from the 17th Congress of the International Council for Distance Education (Vol. 2, pp. 251–348). Milton Keynes: Open University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drennan, J., Kennedy, J., & Pisarki, A. (2005). Factors affecting student attitudes toward flexible online learning in management education. Journal of Educational Research, 98, 331–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, L., Motamedi, V., & May, L. (2007). Predicting preservice teacher competence in computer technology: Modeling and application in training environments. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 15, 207–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 48, 39–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fornell, C., Tellis, G. J., & Zinkhan, G. M. (1982). Validity assessment: A structural equations approach using partial least squares. Proceedings of the American Marketing Association Educators’ Conference.

  • Fullan, M. (2000). Change forces: The sequel. 2000 CHANGE Council Keynote Address presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the educational communications and technology. Long Beach, CA.

  • Glasgow, N. (1997). New curriculum for new times: A guide to student-centred problem-based learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guild, P. B. (1997). Where do the learning theories overlap? Educational Leadership, 55, 30–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J. F., Jr., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., Anderson, R. E., & Tatham, R. L. (2006). Multivariate data analysis (6th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hannafin, M., Hill, J., & Land, S. (1997). Student-centred learning and interactive multimedia: Status, issues, and implication. Contemporary Education, 68, 94–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cut-off criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonassen, H. D. (1996). Scaffolding diagnostic reasoning in case-based learning environments. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 8, 48–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonassen, H. D. (1997). Instructional design models for well-structured and ill-structured problem-solving learning outcomes. Educational Technology Research and Development, 45, 656–694.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Judge, S., & O’Bannon, B. (2008). Faculty integration of technology in teacher preparation: Outcomes of a development model. Technology, Pedagogy, and Education, 17(1), 17–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krajcik, J., Soloway, E., Blumenfeld, P., & Marx, R. (1998). Scaffold technology tools to promote teaching and learning in science. In C. Dede (Ed.), ASCD 1998 yearbook: Learning with technology. Alexandra, VA: ASCD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leidner, D. E., & Jarvenpaa, S. L. (1995). The use of information technology to enhance management school education: A theoretical view. MIS Quarterly, 19, 265–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, C. P., & Chan, B. C. (2007). Microlessons in teacher education: Examining pre-service teachers’ pedagogical beliefs. Computers and Education, 48, 474–494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, C. P., Pek, M. S., & Chai, C. S. (2005). Classroom management issues in ICT-Mediated learning environments. Journal of Multimedia and Hypermedia, 14, 391–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCombs, B. L. (2001). What do we know about learners and learning? The learner-centred framework: Brining the educational system into balance. Educational Horizons, 79, 182–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, R. P., & Ho, M. H. R. (2002). Principles and practice in reporting structural equation analyses. Psychological Methods, 7, 64–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehlinger, H. D., & Powers, S. M. (2002). Technology & teacher education: A guide for educators and policymakers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education, Singapore. (2006). Overview of the masterplan II for IT in education. Available online: http://www.moe.gov.sg/edumall/index.htm. Accessed 5 June 2007.

  • Niederhauser, D. S., Salem, D. J., & Fields, M. (1999). Exploring teaching, learning and instructional reform in an introductory technology course. Journal of Technology and teacher Education, 7, 153–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palinscar, A., & Brown, A. (1984). Reciprocal teaching and comprehension-fostering and monitoring activities. Cognition and Instruction, 1, 117–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pope, M., Hare, W., & Howard, E. (2002). Technology integration: Closing the gap between what preservice teachers are taught to do and what they can do. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 10, 191–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quek, C. L., Wong, A. F. L., & Fraser, B. J. (2005). Student perceptions of chemistry laboratory learning environments, student-teacher interactions and attitudes in secondary school gifted education classes in Singapore. Research in Science Education, 35, 299–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roehler, L., & Cantlon, D. (1997). Scaffolding: A powerful tool in social constructivist classrooms. In K. Hogan & M. Pressley (Eds.), Scaffolding student learning: Instructional approaches and issues. Cambridge, MA: Brookline.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, M., Bebell, D., O’Dwyer, L., & O’Connor, K. (2003). Examining teacher technology use: Implications for preservice and inservice teacher preparation. Journal of Teacher Education, 54, 297–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savory, J. R., & Duffy, T. M. (1995). Problem based learning: An instructional model and its constructivist framework. Educational Technology, 35, 31–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scardamalia, M., & Bereiter, C. (2003). Knowledge building. In Encyclopaedia of education (2nd ed., pp. 1370–1373). New York: Macmillan Reference, USA.

  • Scardamalia, M., & Bereiter, C. (2006). Knowledge building: Theory, pedagogy, and technology. In R. K. Sawyer (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences (pp. 97–118). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schrum, L. (1999). Technology professional development for teachers. Educational Technology Research and Development, 47, 83–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, D., Laffey, J., Lin, Y., & Huang, X. (2006). Social influence for perceived usefulness and ease-of-use of course delivery systems. Journal of Interactive Online Learning, 5, 270–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slavin, R. E. (1983). Cooperative learning. New York: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teo, T. (2008). A path analysis of pre-service teachers’ attitudes to computer use: Applying and extending the technology acceptance model in an educational context. Interactive learning environments. doi:10.1080/10494820802231327.

  • Teo, T. (2009). Modelling technology acceptance in education: A study of pre-service teachers. Computers and Education, 52, 302–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teo, T., Lee, C. B., & Chai, C. S. (2008a). Understanding pre-service teachers’ computer attitudes: Applying and extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 24, 128–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teo, T., Wong, S. L., & Chai, C. S. (2008b). A cross-cultural examination of the intention to use technology between Singaporean and Malaysian pre-service teachers: An application of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Educational Technology and Society, 11, 265–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, R. L., Higgins, C. A., & Howell, J. M. (1991). Personal computing: Toward a conceptual model of utilization. MIS Quarterly, 15, 124–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trinidad, S., Aldridge, J., & Fraser, B. (2005). Development, validation and use of the online learning environment survey. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 21, 60–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes (M. cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, E. Souberman, Eds. and Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

  • Wong, S. L., Kamariah, A. B., & Tang, S. H. (2006). Using a student centred learning (SCL) approach to teach a discrete information technology (IT) course: The effects on Malaysian pre-service teachers’ attitudes toward IT? Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 15(2), 223–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Y., Tan, H. S., & Mishra, P. (2001). Technology: Teaching and learning: Whose computer is it? Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 44, 348–355.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Timothy Teo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Teo, T., Lee, C.B., Chai, C.S. et al. Modelling pre-service teachers’ perceived usefulness of an ICT-based student-centred learning (SCL) curriculum: a Singapore study. Asia Pacific Educ. Rev. 10, 535–545 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-009-9051-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-009-9051-y

Keywords

Navigation