Prospective teachers’ perception and preparedness towards ICT during virtual school internship

Abstract

ICT played a crucial role in sustaining education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
study explores prospective teachers’ preparedness and perceived experience towards
using ICT during Virtual SIP to attain inclusive classroom set-up. The researchers tried
to examine how ICT was used during the pandemic to enhance students’ potential and
realise changes in classroom procedures during SIP. The perceptions of prospective
teachers were collected from the Department of Education of the Five Central Universities
of India. The result was analysed under two themes, i.e., awareness and preparedness
of prospective teachers towards ICT and Understanding the role of ICT in accomplishing
inclusion in Virtual SIP. The result revealed that while prospective teachers understood
the connection between ICT and inclusion well, their use of ICT tools in virtual SIP was
limited due to the digital divide, lack of resources, poor internet access, low parental
support, and student inattentiveness. Some central universities provided training and
resources to enhance ICT awareness among prospective teachers. The study recommends
professional training in ICT to create an environment where teachers can seamlessly
integrate ICT into education.