Developing and validating a new reliable instrument for assessing open distance learning educator's learning management system - TPACK
Date
2017
Authors
Luckay, Michelle
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Abstract
Modern-day open and distance learning (ODL) educators are increasingly being called upon to apply different forms of knowledge to integrate web-based learning management systems (LMSs) effectively for teaching and learning. To test this assumption, this study set out to develop and validate a new reliable instrument for assessing ODL educators’ perceived learning management system technological pedagogical content knowledge (LMS-TPACK). Past empirical studies grounded in Mishra and Koehler’s TPACK framework (2006) were examined to construct the self-report survey. Quantitative data were collected from 332 educators. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were computed. The findings reveal key LMS-TPACK constructs that have proven to be both valid and reliable. Six out of the seven subscales used to assess LMS-TPACK were found to be significant, i.e. LMS knowledge (LMS-K), pedagogical knowledge (PK), content knowledge (CK), pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), LMS pedagogical knowledge (LMS-PK) and LMS-TPACK, while LMS-CK failed to emerge in the factor structure. Several possible reasons are proposed for the lack or absence of LMS-CK. The resulting Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the different constructs as well as the overall instrument scale provide compelling evidence for stable internal consistency reliability. Alpha for the entire LMS-TPACK survey was found to be excellent (α = .931). Recommendations are made for improvements to the instrument and directions for future research are highlighted.
Description
A research report submitted to the Wits School of Education, Faculty of Humanities,
University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of Master of Education by combination of coursework and research Johannesburg, 2017
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Citation
Luckay, Michelle (2017) Developing and validating a new reliable instrument for assessing open distance learning educator's learning management system - TPACK, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <http://hdl.handle.net/10539/24946>