Experiences in Using Technology: A Comparative Study Between Traditional and Alternative Teacher Certification Students in Business Teacher Education

摘要

Teacher shortages have been a national challenge in American education and Alternative Certification Teacher Programs have been proved to be part of the feasible solutions. Compared with traditional students in business teacher education programs, alternative business teacher certification students enter the program with more working experience, dedication and more interpersonal skills. To become effective business teachers, however, they must keep up with the latest technological advances and learn how to use and incorporate technology in classroom instruction. The direct experiences with technologies have been found to be related to confidence, positive attitudes and self-efficacy in technology, which all contribute to more infusion of technology in classroom teaching and learning. This study intended to investigate the experiences of the alternative business teacher certification students in their use of technology as compared to traditional business teacher education students.