Abstract:

The purpose of the current study is to determine student teachers' cognitive structures on the concept of computer. Qualitative research methodology has been applied in the study. The data were collected from student teachers. Free word association test and drawing-writing test were used to collect data. The data collected were subject to content analysis and divided into categories. According to the analyses conducted, while 12 categories were determined through the free word association test in student teachers' cognitive structures on the concept of computer, in the drawing-writing technique, 11 categories were specified. Through both measurement tools, rich data were obtained, supporting, expanding on, and explaining one another. In this context, it was determined through both measurement tools that student teachers' cognitive structures focused on “the external technical sections and the contribution of social life" categories. Moreover, the data collected through these data collection instruments indicated that student teachers had alternative conceptions about the concept of computer

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