Exploratory Factor Analysis of TPACK: assessing construct validity in the context of Italian future teachers

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7346/-fei-XXII-02-24_06

Keywords:

Exploratory Factor Analysis, Future teachers, TPACK, Construct validity

Abstract

This study examines the reliability and construct validity of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework among a sample of 1723 Italian future teachers through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The analysis initially suggested seven factors as per the original TPACK model, but further examination revealed five coherent factors: two distinct Technological Knowledge (TK) factors, a combined Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge factor, a merged Pedagogical Content Knowledge factor, and a distinct Content Knowledge domain. The goodness-of-fit values for the proposed model by EFA were TLI=0.916 and RMSEA=0.061 (90% CI [0.059, 0.062]). These findings affirm the construct validity of some of the putative domains of the TPACK model, while also suggesting that certain domains may need revising for more clarity or distinction on certain items and domains. This study provides valuable insights for the use of TPACK in an Italian and teacher training context.

Author Biography

Alessandra La Marca, Università degli Studi di Palermo (Italy) – alessandra.lamarca@unipa.it

Professore Ordinario di Didattica e Pedagogia Speciale - Università degli Studi d Palermo

References

Antonietti, C., Cattaneo, A., & Amenduni, F. (2022). Can teachers’ digital competence influence technology acceptance in vocational education? Computers in Human Behavior, 132, 107266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107266

Bergh, D. (2015). Chi-Squared Test of Fit and Sample Size-A Comparison between a Random Sample Approach and a Chi-Square Value Adjustment Method. Journal of Applied Measurement, 16(2), 204–217.

Bostancioglu, A., & Handley, Z. L. (2018). Developing and validating a questionnaire for evaluating the EFL ‘Total PACKage’:Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) for English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Computer Assisted Language Learning, 572–598.

Burton, L. J., & Mazerolle, S. M. (2011). Survey Instrument Validity Part I: Principles of Survey Instrument Development and Validation in Athletic Training Education Research. Athletic Training Education Journal, 6(1), 27–35. https://doi.org/10.4085/1947-380X-6.1.27

Chai, C., Koh, J., & Tsai, C.-C. (2011). Exploring the factor structure of the constructs of technological, pedagogical, content knowledge (TPACK). Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 20, 595–603.

Comrey, A. L., & Lee, H. B. (1992). A First Course in Factor Analysis. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Eribaum Associates.

Costello, A. B., & Osborne, J. (2005). Best practices in exploratory factor analysis: Four recommendations for getting the most from your analysis. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 10(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.7275/jyj1-4868

Field, A. (2009). Discovering Statistics Using SPSS: Introducing Statistical Method (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Finch, W. H. (2020). Using Fit Statistic Differences to Determine the Optimal Number of Factors to Retain in an Exploratory Factor Analysis. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 80(2), 217–241. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164419865769

Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W. C. (1995). Multivariate data analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Hair, J.F., Black, W.C., Babin, B.J., Anderson, R.E. & Tatham, R.L. (2006). Multivariate Data Analysis (6th Edition). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

Kaiser, Henry F. 1974. “An Index of Factorial Simplicity.” Psychometrika, 39(1), 31–36.

Keating, T., & Evans, E. (2001). Three computers in the back of the classroom: Pre-service teachers’ conceptions of technology integration. In R. Carlsen, N. Davis, J. Price, R. Weber & D. Willis (eds.), Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Annual (pp. 1671-1676). Norfolk, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

Koehler, M.J., & Mishra, P. (2005). What happens when teachers design educational technology? The development of technological pedagogical content knowledge. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 32(2), 131–152.

Koh, J. h. l., Chai, C. s., & Tsai, C. c. (2010). Examining the technological pedagogical content knowledge of Singapore pre-service teachers with a large-scale survey. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 26(6), 563–573. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2010.00372.x

La Marca, A., Gülbay, E., & Di Martino, V. (2018). Learning strategies, decision-making styles and conscious use of technologies in initial teacher education. Form@ re-Open Journal per la formazione in rete, 18(1), 150-164.

Lavidas, K., Katsidima, M.-A., Theodoratou, S., Komis, V., & Nikolopoulou, K. (2021). Preschool teachers’ perceptions about TPACK in Greek educational context. Journal of Computers in Education, 8(3), 395–410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-021-00184-x

Li, M., Vale, C., Tan, H., & Blannin, J. (2024). A systematic review of TPACK research in primary mathematics education. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 1-31.

Lin, T.-C., Tsai, C.-C., Chai, C. S., & Lee, M.-H. (2013). Identifying Science Teachers’ Perceptions of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK). Journal of Science Education and Technology, 22(3), 325–336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-012-9396-6

Luik, P., Taimalu, M., & Suviste, R. (2018). Perceptions of technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) among pre-service teachers in Estonia. Education and Information Technologies, 23(2), 741–755. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-017-9633-y

Magnanini, A., Morelli, G., & Sanchez Utge, M. (2023). Validation of the TPACK-IT scale for pre-service teacher trainees. Italian Journal of Health Education, Sport and Inclusive Didactics, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.32043/gsd.v7i1.794

Mishra, P., & Koehler, M.J. (2006). Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A framework for integrating technology in teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054.

Pérez, A. G. (2014). Characterization of Inclusive Practices in Schools with Education Technology. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 132, 357–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.04.322

Shulman, L.S. (1986). Those who understand: knowledge growth in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4–14.

Netemeyer, R., Bearden, W., & Sharma, S. (2003). Scaling Procedures. Issues and Applications. California: Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412985772

Önal, N. (2016). Development, Validity and Reliability of TPACK Scale with Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 8. https://doi.org/10.15345/iojes.2016.02.009

Pamuk, S., Ergun, M., Cakir, R., Yilmaz, H. B., & Ayas, C. (2015). Exploring relationships among TPACK components and development of the TPACK instrument. Education and Information Technologies, 20(2), 241–263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-013-9278-4

Prasojo, L., Habibi, A., Mukminin, A., & Mohd Yaakob, M. F. (2020). Domains of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge: Factor Analysis of Indonesian In-Service EFL Teachers. International Journal of Instruction, 13, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.13437a

Rauf, A., Swanto, S., & Salam, S. (2021). Exploratory Factor Analysis of Tpack in the Context of ESL Secondary School Teachers in Sabah. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling, 6, 137–146. https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEPC.6380012

Schmidt, D. A., Baran, E., Thompson, A. D., Mishra, P., Koehler, M. J., & Shin, T. S. (2009). Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK): The Development and Validation of an Assessment Instrument for Preservice Teachers. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42(2).

Shinas, V. H., Yilmaz-Ozden, S., Mouza, C., Karchmer-Klein, R., & Glutting, J. J. (2013). Examining Domains of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Using Factor Analysis. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 45(4), 339–360. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2013.10782609

Streiner, D. L. (2003). Starting at the Beginning: An Introduction to Coefficient Alpha and Internal Consistency. Journal of Personality Assessment, 80(1), 99–103. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327752JPA8001_18

Tabachnick, B.G. and Fidell, L.S. (2001) Using Multivariate Statistics. 4th Edition, Allyn and Bacon, Boston.

Taherdoost, H., Sahibuddin, S., & Jalaliyoon, N. (2014). Exploratory Factor Analysis; Concepts and Theory. In J. Balicki (Ed.), Advances in Applied and Pure Mathematics (Vol. 27, pp. 375–382). WSEAS. https://hal.science/hal-02557344

Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd

Tpack.org. (2012). Using the TPACK Image. Tpack.Org. https://tpack.org/tpack-image/

Zeynivandnezhad, F., Rashed, F., & Kanooni, A. (2019). Exploratory Factor Analysis for TPACK among Mathematics Teachers: Why, What and How. Anatolian Journal of Education, 4(1), 59–76.

Downloads

Published

2024-09-21

How to Cite

Mercer, S. O., Falzone, Y., & La Marca, A. (2024). Exploratory Factor Analysis of TPACK: assessing construct validity in the context of Italian future teachers. Formazione & Insegnamento, 22(2), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.7346/-fei-XXII-02-24_06