Teacher's self-efficacy to use computer technologies in teaching

Author(s)

Cacilda Encarnação Augusto Alvarenga

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Educação
• Defense date: 2011-01-27

Examining board members

Roberta Gurgel Azzi; Anita Liberalesso Neri; Dirceu da Silva; Maria Cristina Rodrigues Azevedo Joly; Tania Maria Santana de Rose; José Armando Valente; Roberto Tadeu Iaochite; Sylvia Helena Souza da Silva Batista

• Advisor: Roberta Gurgel Azzi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify, describe and analyze: the level of teacher computer self-efficacy of high school teachers, the sources that teachers realize that most contribute to build self-efficacy beliefs for teaching with computers; personal or contextual variables which have the most significant relationship with this belief and the profile of teachers with higher computer self-efficacy beliefs for teaching. The study included 253 high school teachers from 27 public schools in the city of Campinas-SP. Data were collected in person at schools and involved participants to answer a profile questionnaire and two Likert scales in order to investigate the teacher computer self-efficacy and its sources. Data were statistically analyzed using descriptive and inferential techniques. The results showed that teachers in the sample have moderate teacher computer self-efficacy belief. The vicarious experience was the most perceived source that contribute to self-efficacy for using technology in teaching, followed by social persuasion and mastery experience. Significant relationship between the investigated construct and personal and contextual variables were identified, confirming thus the importance of investigating them in order to understand the teacher computer self-efficacy. It happens that the teacher with the highest belief is the one who realizes he has the more ability to use the computer and feels more prepared and motivated to teach with technology. Access to technologies and training programs for teachers to use instructional technologies can contribute to raise this awareness or help them feel having more ability and preparation. In order to they feel more motivated, it is also necessary to rethink the job conditions offered to teaching. (AU)