The effect of the absence of qualified technicians in colleges of education to support pre-service teachers’ technology training
Abstract: This study aimed at investigating into the presence or otherwise of qualified technicians in colleges of education in Ghana and how this is affecting the training of pre-service teachers to integrate technology into teaching and learning. A qualitative approach was adopted. Four student focus groups with a purposive sample of four tutors teaching technology related courses and other courses participated in the study. It was revealed that most colleges were without technicians as the government failed to provide qualified technicians for the colleges. Colleges are therefore calling on the government and stakeholders to provide them with qualified technicians to enable them fix their technical problems, lend a helping hand to their tutors and support to develop pre-service teachers’ technical expertise to overcome their technical fears to be able to use technology for instruction. It is therefore being recommended that stakeholders and as well as the government help provide colleges with qualified technicians to help equip pre-service teachers with technical abilities to teach effectively with technology in the classroom.
Presider: Rhonda Christensen, University of North Texas