Perceived ICT Competencies of Female Student Teachers In Relation to Selected Variables

Abstract

The present study intends to determine the perceived level of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) competencies of female student teachers enrolled in a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) teacher education programme at six private colleges of education in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu State, India. A convenient sample of 301 female student teachers participated in this study. The researchers used the “Information and Communication Technology Competency Scale (ICTCS)” developed based on existing literature to collect data from female student teachers. The data were collected using a Google form and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicate that female student teachers had competency in most ICT parameters. The study identified several significant factors that influenced the ICT competencies of female student teachers, including locality of residence, education level, possession of a personal computer or laptop, completion of a computer training course, and the number of years of computer usage. However, the major subject of female student teachers did not affect their level of ICT competencies. Policymakers and teacher educators can use these findings to design targeted interventions to enhance the ICT competencies among student teachers in teacher education programmes.