The effect of dynamic computer-based scaffolding on the effectiveness of virtual in-service teacher training

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Teachers are considered as one of the most important and vital elements of virtual in-service training, and supporting them is one of the basic elements in the virtual training system. Supporting teachers in the virtual learning environment is one of the key factors in the success and development of the virtual training system that if it is not continuously provided, it will lead to a waste of capital and a lack of motivation to stay in the virtual learning environment. Support for teachers has different areas, among which we can mention instructional support. In virtual in-service teachers training, instructional support has priority over other different areas of support and is more important. Instructional support is one of the main components affecting the effectiveness of virtual training. Dynamic computer-based scaffolding is one form of instructional support that supports learners in a personalized way. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of dynamic computer-based scaffolding on the effectiveness of virtual in-service teacher training.Methods: This research was conducted in a quasi-experimental way using a pretest-posttest design with an experimental and a control group. The statistical population of this research consisted of elementary school teachers in the academic year of 1401-1402 who applied to participate in virtual in-service training. A total of 30 elementary school teachers were selected as a sample to participate in the research, who were randomly divided into two groups of 15 people, experimental and control. The tool used in this research was a researcher-made questionnaire for the evaluation of virtual in-service teacher training based on Roderick Sims’s developed model. This model has 11 components including educational objectives, content, design and user interface, interaction, evaluation, support services, outcomes quality, organization, management, educational technology and information and communication technology ethics. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts. Also, the reliability of the questionnaire was obtained as Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.82. The experimental group received dynamic computer-based scaffolding during the virtual in-service training, but the virtual in-service training was presented to the control group in the usual way. Descriptive statistics indices (mean and standard deviation) were used for data analysis, and covariance analysis was used in the inferential statistics section.Findings: The results of the research showed that training through dynamic computer-based scaffolding was of significant impact on the effectiveness of virtual in-service teacher training. Also, dynamic computer-based scaffolding in each of the components of the effectiveness of virtual in-service teacher training, including organization and management, educational technology, educational objectives, content, design and user interface, information and communication technology ethics, interaction with the user interface, evaluation, support services and quality of outcomes had a significant effect.Conclusion: In virtual in-service training, dynamic computer-based scaffolding can provide the help and guidance needed by teachers and lead to mastery in learning and helps teachers to play an active role in training. Regardless of this, the use of web-based tools and technologies is emphasized in the studies as long as they can facilitate the performance of learners in learning, and have an effect on the effectiveness of education. Therefore, considering the benefits of dynamic computer-based scaffolding, it is suggested that those involved in virtual in-service teacher training include the design and development of dynamic computer-based scaffolding in their work agenda.

Keywords

• effectiveness of training
• virtual in-service training
• dynamic computer-based scaffolding
• teachers