PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ COGNITIVE CONSTRUCTS REGARDING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES ACADEMICIANS
This paper focuses on revealing and modeling the cognitive constructs of pre-service teachers regarding the characteristics of a good IT academician. The research was carried out via the exploratory sequential design with the participation of 42 volunteer pre-service teachers enrolled in the Department of Computer and Instructional Technology. The data were obtained through the structured interview according to the repertory grid technique. The data obtained were analysed by taking into consideration similarities and common features. 426 cognitive constructs were found. Cognitive constructs were collected under 11 sub-categories. These categories were also divided into three main categories: attitudes and values, professional knowledge, and professional skills. As a result, essential constructs within the model of a good academician include the relationship among students, knowledge of field education, and field knowledge. The model revealed a whole set of characteristics rather than a few characteristics of a good IT academician. The model can be used to evaluate IT academicians and to explain the relationship among their characteristics.