Pre-service Teachers’ Motivation in Using Digital Technology - Issue 3 - Article 7

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

Digital technology (DT) plays a significant role in modern education. This study investigated motivational goals of student teachers in initial teacher education in Singapore and how these goals shape their personal DT use and DT use in the classroom. Survey results from N=312 showed personal DT use exceeded classroom application, with females reporting higher performance goals. Structural equation modelling indicated learning goals related positively to both personal and classroom DT use, while performance goals were not positively related to either outcome.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background: Digital technology in educational settings

Digital Technology in Singapore

Motivational goals and DT use

Australian Journal of Teacher Education | Volume 39 | Issue 3 | Article 7 | | --- | --- | | 2014
Pre-service Teachers’Motivation in Using Digital Technology
Alexander S. Yeung
University of Western Sydney, Australia and National Institute of Education, Singapore, [a.yeung@uws.edu.au](a.yeung@uws.edu.au)
Eng Guan Tay
National Institute of Education, Singapore, [engguan.tay@nie.edu.sg](engguan.tay@nie.edu.sg)
Chenri Hui
National Institute of Education Singapore, [chenri.hui@nie.edu.sg](chenri.hui@nie.edu.sg)
Jane Huiling Lin
National Institute of Education, Singapore, [jane.lin@nie.edu.sg](jane.lin@nie.edu.sg)
Ee-Ling Low
National Institute of Education, Singapore, [eeling.low@nie.edu.sg](eeling.low@nie.edu.sg) | | Recommended Citation Yeung, A. S., Tay, E., Hui, C., Lin, J. H., & Low, E. (2014). Pre-service Teachers’ Motivation in Using Digital Technology. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 39 (3). Retrieved from [http://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol39/iss3/7](http://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol39/iss3/7) This Journal Article is posted at Research Online. [http://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol39/iss3/7](http://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol39/iss3/7) Australian Journal of Teacher Education Pre-service Teachers’ Motivation in Using Digital Technology Alexander S. Yeung Australian Catholic University, Australia National Institute of Education, Singapore Eng Guan Tay Chenri Hui Jane Huiling Lin Ee-Ling Low National Institute of Education, Singapore Abstract: Digital technology (DT) has a significant role to play in modern education. This study examined motivational goals of student teachers in initial teacher education in Singapore and the influences of goals on their use of DT personally and in the classroom. The participants (N=312) responded to a survey about their motivational goals (learning vs. performance) and DT application (personal vs. classroom application). Results showed that personal use of DT, especially for younger teachers, was clearly more than classroom application. Females were found to have higher performance goal. Structural equation modelling found that learning goals were positively related to both personal use and classroom application, but performance goals were not positively related to either outcome. As performance goals were found to be unrelated to classroom application of DT, teacher education should focus more on the development of learning goals so as to encourage teachers, especially females, to use DT for teaching. In educational settings, digital technology (DT) has attracted tremendous attention. Its significant role in modern education has been emphasized in many policy documents worldwide (e.g., Department of Education USA, 2010; Ministry of Education New Zealand, 2006-07; Ministry of Education Singapore, 2008) . The ability to effectively use DT has become a basic requirement for pre-service teachers in teacher education programs in most countries including Australia (Moran, Vozzo, Reid, Pietsch, & Hatton, 2013) and Singapore (Yeung, Taylor, Hui, Lam-Chiang, & Low, 2012), for example. DT in education refers to various digital software and hardware that can be applied in the learning and teaching processes. This term is broader than other terms such as information and communication technology (ICT) because of its wider coverage of various kinds of technologies with digital functions (Lee & Winzenried, 2009; Davidson & Goldberg, 2009) . As such, DT includes a variety of media that teachers could employ to optimize pedagogical effects. In school settings, the most often used digital media include: computers and computer-related media such as computer games, e-books, scanners, online chats and social networks, digital cameras, etc., and other technologies such as audio and video recorders (Annetta, 2008; Roland, 2010). For many teachers, apart from classroom applications, digital technology (e.g. calculators, smart pho

FAQs

What was the focus of the study on pre-service teachers?

The study examined student teachers’ motivational goals and how these goals influenced their use of digital technology both personally and in the classroom.

How were motivational goals and DT application measured?

Participants responded to a survey covering motivational goals (learning vs. performance) and DT application (personal vs. classroom use).

What did the results show about personal vs. classroom DT use?

Personal use of DT was clearly higher than classroom application, especially for younger teachers, and females showed higher performance goal scores.

How did learning and performance goals relate to DT use?

Learning goals were positively related to both personal and classroom DT use, while performance goals were not positively related to either outcome, suggesting teacher education should strengthen learning goals.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine