Using a student‐centred learning approach to teach a discrete information technology course: the effects on Malaysian pre‐service teachers’ attitudes toward information technology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure pre‐service teachers’ attitudes toward information technology (IT) after completing a discrete IT course taught in a student centred‐learning (SCL) environment during laboratory sessions. Evidence from this study suggests that there was a positive shift in the participants’ attitudes toward IT. Pre‐test results showed that IT‐competent participants who regarded IT as useful had more confidence and less aversion toward IT. Post‐test results showed increased mean scores on all three dependent variables with no differences between IT‐competent and low IT‐competent participants. The results were supported by interviews which indicate that after completing the IT course, participants were more independent, more creative and possessed collaborative learning skills. The results suggest that infusing SCL into a discrete IT course can help promote and enhance positive attitudes toward IT and enable students to be active participants in their own learning process.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Lawrence Aeria and Prof. Dr Ian McLaren for their kind assistance. The authors are also grateful to the anonymous reviewers and Dr Avril Loveless for their helpful comments and suggestions.