Introduction
Competence is an underlying concept for individuals to show better performance. Since there is no
way to observe competence directly, it can indirectly be measured with performance indicators
(Bassellier, Reich and Benbasat, 2001). The competence concept can be addressed as a performance,
skill or personality trait. Such different uses raise the uncertainty regarding the definition of the
concept. Odabaşı et al. (2011) define competence as individuals’s self-confidence and ability to
handle a problem with different perspectives through their professional knowledge and
interdisciplinary processes. Within the context of the action competence, the term can be defined as a
wholistic construct involving different literacies, critical thinking, responsibility, motivation and vision,
all of which are necessary qualities to solve a societal problem.
Ehlers (2007) enlists the factors that support the development of action competence as social
interaction, disagreement/conflict, discomfort and problem solving experience. Furthermore, Scott
(2011) states that it is quite important for action competent individuals to carry out activities, which
could influence the society and young individuals in making real-life decisions.
Some can state that the fields and scope of action competencies may change with culture, which is a
common-sense argument. Moreover, the type of action competence as determining the problem,
conducting in-depth research in the field, developing a vision, planning and taking action, and
evaluating may vary depending on the particular subject as well (Mogensen, 1997).
Action competence is an area of study that may allow practical implementations on different fields
such as environmental problems, health problems, peace and curricula. Action competence involves
more than just being aware of the problems or having certain skills. The first phase of this
competency involves recognition and awareness of the field. In addition, the difference between
action competence and other applications emerges in the phase of ‘taking the action’. In the related
literature, there are a lot of studies on action competence addressing health and environment. One of
the fields where the reflections of action competence are rarely seen is the field of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT).
ICT’s are a natural extension of our daily lives. By 2011, almost 34 % of the world population had
Internet access, and between December 2000 and June 2012, the ratio of Internet access increased
by 56 % throughout the world (Internet Usage Statistics, 2012). According to a comprehensive
survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) in April 2012, the ratio of the households
with Internet access across Turkey was 47.2 % (TUIK, 2012). This ratio was found to be 8.66 % in a
similar study carried out by TUIK in June 2005. This result demonstrates that Turkish household
Internet access increased by 545.03 % between 2005 and 2012 (TUIK, 2012). Moreover another
report by TUIK (2010) states that three out of five Internet users use the Internet daily, and houses
take the first place in computer and Internet use. These reports suggest that Turkey has a higher
level of ICT use than the world’s average. In this regard, ICTs could be considered among the
primary tools for conducting actions that may have positive influence on social life. However, it is
striking that there are very few studies employing ICTs for the benefit of societies. This situation
underlines the need for the concept of ICTAC.
ICTAC can be defined as individuals’ motivation and capacity to voluntarily employ their ICT skills for
initiating or taking part in civic actions (Odabaşı et. al., 2011). Since academic staff and teachers in
ICT related fields have crucial roles in training action-competent individuals, this study aimed to
determine the views of preservice teachers and instructors in Computer Education and Instructional
Technology (CEIT) departments about the motivating and hindering factors to ICTAC. In line with this
Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, January 2013, 4(1)
36
purpose, the current study addressed the following research question: What are the factors that
motivate and prevent contribution to the solution of societal problems with the use of ICTs?
IntroductionCompetence is an underlying concept for individuals to show better performance. Since there is noway to observe competence directly, it can indirectly be measured with performance indicators(Bassellier, Reich and Benbasat, 2001). The competence concept can be addressed as a performance,skill or personality trait. Such different uses raise the uncertainty regarding the definition of theconcept. Odabaşı et al. (2011) define competence as individuals’s self-confidence and ability tohandle a problem with different perspectives through their professional knowledge andinterdisciplinary processes. Within the context of the action competence, the term can be defined as awholistic construct involving different literacies, critical thinking, responsibility, motivation and vision,all of which are necessary qualities to solve a societal problem.Ehlers (2007) enlists the factors that support the development of action competence as socialinteraction, disagreement/conflict, discomfort and problem solving experience. Furthermore, Scott(2011) states that it is quite important for action competent individuals to carry out activities, whichcould influence the society and young individuals in making real-life decisions.Some can state that the fields and scope of action competencies may change with culture, which is acommon-sense argument. Moreover, the type of action competence as determining the problem,conducting in-depth research in the field, developing a vision, planning and taking action, andevaluating may vary depending on the particular subject as well (Mogensen, 1997).Action competence is an area of study that may allow practical implementations on different fieldssuch as environmental problems, health problems, peace and curricula. Action competence involvesmore than just being aware of the problems or having certain skills. The first phase of thiscompetency involves recognition and awareness of the field. In addition, the difference betweenaction competence and other applications emerges in the phase of ‘taking the action’. In the relatedliterature, there are a lot of studies on action competence addressing health and environment. One ofthe fields where the reflections of action competence are rarely seen is the field of Information andCommunication Technologies (ICT).ICT’s are a natural extension of our daily lives. By 2011, almost 34 % of the world population hadInternet access, and between December 2000 and June 2012, the ratio of Internet access increasedby 56 % throughout the world (Internet Usage Statistics, 2012). According to a comprehensivesurvey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) in April 2012, the ratio of the householdswith Internet access across Turkey was 47.2 % (TUIK, 2012). This ratio was found to be 8.66 % in asimilar study carried out by TUIK in June 2005. This result demonstrates that Turkish householdInternet access increased by 545.03 % between 2005 and 2012 (TUIK, 2012). Moreover another
report by TUIK (2010) states that three out of five Internet users use the Internet daily, and houses
take the first place in computer and Internet use. These reports suggest that Turkey has a higher
level of ICT use than the world’s average. In this regard, ICTs could be considered among the
primary tools for conducting actions that may have positive influence on social life. However, it is
striking that there are very few studies employing ICTs for the benefit of societies. This situation
underlines the need for the concept of ICTAC.
ICTAC can be defined as individuals’ motivation and capacity to voluntarily employ their ICT skills for
initiating or taking part in civic actions (Odabaşı et. al., 2011). Since academic staff and teachers in
ICT related fields have crucial roles in training action-competent individuals, this study aimed to
determine the views of preservice teachers and instructors in Computer Education and Instructional
Technology (CEIT) departments about the motivating and hindering factors to ICTAC. In line with this
Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, January 2013, 4(1)
36
purpose, the current study addressed the following research question: What are the factors that
motivate and prevent contribution to the solution of societal problems with the use of ICTs?
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