Modeling Pre-Service Teachers' Perception of Future Internet Usage for Professional Educational Purposes

Abstract

This study sought to consider whether there are correlations between pre-service teachers' attitudes towards the Internet, web pedagogical content knowledge, and the perception of future Internet usage for professional educational purposes. Using the stratified sampling method, 503 university students were selected to participate in the study. For the statistical analyses, structural equation modeling was utilized. Research results indicated that pre-service teachers' attitudes towards the Internet were a positive predictor of their web pedagogical content knowledge. Also, the perception of future Internet use for professional educational purposes was explained by web pedagogical content knowledge and the attitudes towards the Internet. In conclusion, pre-service teachers' attitudes towards the Internet use were found to positively affect the transfer of their web pedagogical content knowledge into the classes. In addition, results indicated that pre-service teachers' web pedagogical content knowledge positively affects their Internet use for professional purposes.