The Development of the Decoding Skills Scale in Information and Communication Technologies and an Investigation of Preservice Teachers in This Framework

Decoding skills of individuals can be observed in different fields, one of which is information and communication technologies (ICT). Within the scope of the current study decoding skills are a new concept. There is no measurement tool available in the literature. At this point, the researchers aimed (1) to develop the ICT-Decoding Skills Scale and to conduct a validity and reliability study and (2) to identify undergraduate preservice teachers’ level of ICT-Decoding skills, studying in faculties of education. The participants of the study involved a total of 1580 faculty of education students studying in 59 different universities in Turkey. The ICT-Decoding Skills Scale is a 4-factor, 5-point Likert-type scale comprising of 23 items. CFA results showed that model fit indices were calculated as the following: [χ2=897.841; df=219; χ2/df=4.100 p<.001; GFI=.873; AGFI=.840; CFI=.938; NFI=.920; NNFI(TLI)=.928; RMSEA=.070; RMR=.068; SRMR=.060]. When the internal consistencies were analyzed, Cronbach’s Alpha value for the overall scale was (α=.94). As to address the second aim of the study, the ICT-decoding skills of preservice teachers were examined. Preservice teachers’ ICT-decoding skills were found to be at a high level in the overall scale. However, in the subscales, they were observed to have medium and low levels of skills. Similarly, low levels of sensemaking, debugging and problem-solving skills were observed in their Coding Skills. At this point, preservice teachers are suggested to be supported in advanced technical skills, safety and social skills in digital environment and coding skills in addition to basic digital skills.