The Difficulties in Developing Information Technology Competencies with Student Science Teachers

Abstract

This paper describes the information technology (IT) capabilities of a group of science student teachers. The opportunities for developing their skills and using them in the classroom are matched against the use of IT by their mentors. It is argued that classroom experience of using IT is an essential component of the training course and that student teachers’ progress is hampered by the infrequent use of computers by school mentors. A significant number of the student sample (27%) did not have the opportunity to use IT during their school experience. Data logging was one of the main modes of use by both mentors and students, with desk‐top publishing being used least by both groups. Mentors and students were aware of the importance of computers in helping pupils to learn, but they felt that they were unable to use themfrequently because there were insufficient machines within any one school.