Are We Measuring Teachers’ Attitudes towards Computers in Detail?: Adaptation of a Questionnaire into Turkish Culture

Authors : Nilgün Günbaş, Özden Demir

Pages : 166-181

Doi:10.21449/ijate.307973

View : 23 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2017-07-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Teachers’ perceptions of computers play an important role in integrating computers into education. The related literature includes studies developing or adapting a survey instrument in Turkish culture measuring teachers’ attitudes toward computers. These instruments have three to four factors insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(e.g., computer importance, computer enjoyment, computer confidence); and 18 to 26 items under these factors. The purpose of the present study is to adapt a more detailed and stronger survey questionnaire measuring more dimensions related to teachers’ attitudes. The source instrument was developed by Christensen and Kenzek insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2009); and called Teachers’ Attitudes toward Computers insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TAC);. It has nine factors with 51 items. Before testing the instrument, the interaction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(e-mail); factor was taken out because of the cultural differences. The reliability and validity testing of the translated instrument was completed with 273 teachers’ candidates in a Faculty of Education in Turkey. The results showed that the translated instrument insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Cronbach’s Alpha: .94); included eight factors and consisted of 42 items under these factors, which were consistent with the original instrument. These factors were: Interest insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(α: .83);, Comfort insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(α: .90);, Accommodation insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(α: .87);, Concern insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(α: .79);, Utility insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(α: .90);, Perception insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(α: .89);, Absorption insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(α: .84);, and Significance insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(α: .83);. Additionally, the confirmatory factor analysis result for the model with eight factors was: RMSEA=0.050, χ2/df=1.69, RMR=0.075, SRMR=0.057, GFI= 0.81, AGFI= 0.78, NFI= 0.94, NNFI=0.97, CFI=0.97, IFI= 0.97. Accordingly, as a reliable, valid and stronger instrument, the adapted survey instrument can be suggested for the use in Turkish academic studies.
Keywords : Computer Attitude, Teachers, Teacher Candidates