This study seeks to identify effects of determinants for computers use among teachers in Malaysia. In Malaysia, there is widespread recognition that computer can play a powerful role in supplementing and complimenting the process of teacher’s teaching and learning. Given current recognition of the value of computer integration, as well as the investment costs that technologies represent for schools, this study attempted to develop a model which demonstrates the variables that affect computer use among teachers and which also explain its interactions. The proposed research model is based on previous models of technology acceptance. Three variables (computer teaching efficacy, computer attitude and learning outcomes) were selected to build a model for this study. Methodologically, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used as the main technique for data analysis. The findings support the notion that computer attitudes, computer teaching efficacy and learning outcomes have effects on .....

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Purpose - It is argued that the approaches to learning of students undergoing teacher training are likely to be related to their teaching and learning environment, especially as they move from a more regimented, structured learning environment in school to a tertiary learning environment that encourages more independent thinking and perhaps questions ideas. Therefore, this investigation has an overall goal to use the unique approaches to learning (surface and deep approaches) of students in a teacher preparation program to address the needs of this particular group of students during their teacher education. The study examines the associations between scores on student-teachers’ approaches to learning, their academic performance and teaching efficacy. Methodology – The approach to learning instrument used was the Bahasa Melayu R-SPQ-2F and the teaching efficacy was collected through the Bahasa Melayu Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES). The sample for this study was a total .....

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The main aim of this research was to develop an instrument to examine the intention of computer use among student teachers and provide an initial psychometric evaluation of the Computer Use Intention (CUI) scale among student teachers. The process of item generation for the CUI scale was carried out through the sequential mixed method approach. A total of 177 student teachers from a teacher education participated in this study. Based on the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) results, it yielded a four-factorial with 12 items in the CUI scale. The researchers then carried out a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess its factorial validity and reliability. Based on the findings, the CUI scale reached the minimum thresholds for acceptable scale. Convergent validity and discriminant validity of the CUI scale shows satisfactory validity and good internal consistency for all 12-item of CUI scale...

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The research reported here investigates variation in beginning teachers‟ early experiences of their own teaching competency. A phenomenographic research approach was used to show the qualitatively different ways teacher competence was understood amongst beginning teachers in Malaysia. Phenomenographic interviews were conducted with 18 beginning teachers who had started full time teaching for between 1-3 years. Analysis revealed that beginning teachers „saw‟, „understood‟ the conceptions of competency in five different ways: i) the ability to manage classroom and student behavior, ii) a strong knowledge of the subject content, iii) the ability to reach out for assistance and support, iv) understanding the students they teach, and v) possessing values of professionalism. The relationships between these different ways are represented diagrammatically. This investigation gives an insider‟s perspective a strong voice of what constitutes teacher competence, as well as illustrates.....

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While different countries have inherited different methods of teacher preparation, all countries aim for coherent programs, i.e. universitybased courses are aligned with classroom practice. Yet, most published empirical research is based on data from western countries and focuses on a single feature of coherence (e.g., coherence between campus and internships). Our study examines a Malaysian teacher education university’s effort to increase program coherence, investigating 446 preservice teachers’ perceptions of various features of coherence. The preservice teachers represent six different specialist areas in the Bachelor of Education. Across these areas, the program was generally perceived as coherent. Observed differences between the areas, potentially stem from a dissonance among teacher educators about how to integrate theory and practice. Change efforts require time to implement and teacher educators discuss their beliefs about coherent teacher education to ensure coherent pra.....

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More often than not, campus based courses have been criticized as a set of disconnected individual courses and that these courses lack the coherence with the realities of teaching and learning. To this end, one teacher education university has made efforts to make its teacher education program more coherent. Thus, this study reports on this university’s preservice teachers’ perception of program coherence and associating it with their teaching efficacy. The analysis from 454 preservice teachers, collected through a 30- item perception of program coherence questionnaire and a 12-item Malaysian Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale, indicated significant relationships between the two. Overall, the preservice teachers perceived their teacher education programs as fairly coherent. However, more importantly, when these preservice teachers perceived that what they learnt in campus (their theoretical studies) and their practical experiences (during their practicum) were coherent or aligned,.....

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