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Applying TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) to Predict Effective ICT Use of Preschool Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions were challenged to organize online activities, and it was especially challenging to organize them in preschool institutions. Based on the modified TAM (Technology Acceptance Model), the study aimed to examine the potential predictors of effective preschool teachers’ use of information-communication technology (ICT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the main effect of previous work experience was tested. The participants were 104 employed preschool teachers. They completed two online questionnaires (Use of ICT and Digital competencies) created for this study’s purpose and gave some demographic data. Hierarchical linear regression was performed in order to test TAM, i.e. to predict the effective use of ICT during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that only the positive attitudes and recent experience were significant predictors of effective ICT use during COVID-19 pandemic, explaining overall 38% variances, while users’ characteristics did not play a role. Furthermore, preschool teachers with less work experience self- assessed possessing higher levels of specific ICT competencies necessary for work during the COVID- 19 pandemic. Previous experiences with ICT and a specific set of ICT competencies were crucial for preschool teachers to successfully transform activities into a virtual environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ICT ; TAM ; preschool teachers ; digital competencies ; COVID-19 pandemic

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