Pre-Service Teachers and Online Learning Technology in Practice Today: Perceptions, Preparedness and Competence in E-Practicum

Teaching has gone beyond mere memorizing of rules and the use of talk and chalk method of teaching. Learning is no longer tied to the four-walls of the classroom hence teachers should adapt to the new digital way of learning. This paper investigated pre-service teachers' perceptions, preparedness and competence in using virtual meeting solutions (Zoom and Google Meet) in non-physical classroom practicum. Three hundred and fifty two preservice teachers selected from the Faculty of Education of a Nigerian University participated in the descriptive research study. A validated close-ended questionnaire and self-rated rating scale were used to gather data from the respondents. The study found out that: i) the respondents perceived the use of Zoom and Google Meet for e-practicum as solutions for teaching and learning in the 21st century; ii) most of the respondents were not adequately prepared for the integration of Zoom and Google Meet into e-teaching practicum; iii) respondents were not pedagogically competent to use Zoom and Google Meet for teaching practicum. This study showed some lapses in TPs' personal development in basic computational skills and teacher digital education programmes. The study suggested solutions that would be useful for concerned stakeholders in digital education industry.