ICT use by Kuwaiti Pre-service Teachers According to some Variable

Abstract:
Media can be used in almost any discipline to enhance the learning outcomes, both in class, and for out-of-class assignments. In the area of basic education and during spread of COVID-19 Pandemic, it is necessary to develop the digital competence of future teachers, help them to make use digital devices, communication applications, and networks to access and manage information and improve the teaching-learning process that will be used with the students. However, different use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) can facilitate student learning and better learning outcomes. The main objective of this study is to analyze the ICTs used by Kuwaiti Pre-Service Teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic and find out whether gender, subject of study, and experience in ICT affect their frequent usages. The survey research has been carried out on a sample of 148 Kuwaiti pre-service teachers during their second semester of the academic year 2020/2021. Data analysis revealed that smart boards in the classroom, personal computers, and laptops to access social media to study with others, computer programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Photoshop to complete the course assignments, and using e-mail or text messages to communicate with the course instructor are the most in use media for learning during COVID-19 by Kuwaiti pre-service centricity teachers. Results also showed that using emails messages to study with others; use of smartphones to discuss courses material with others; use virtual learning environments to review instructor course notes; use the internet to search for information related to course assignments and term papers, and use of virtual learning environments to access e-courses are the least in use media by the same group. It was also found that usages of virtual learning environments, the internet to search for information related to course assignments and term papers, iPad features to complete my course assignments or discuss courses with others, laptop or PC to complete my course homework, and computer programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Photoshop to complete the course assignments were significantly used by male pre-service teachers compared to female. No significant differences related to pre-service teacher grade, subject of study or experience in ICT were reported. The study recommended that training staff and teachers in using  ICT tools and media for teaching and learning would accelerate the learning process and assure better learning outcomes.