Attitude Scale for Digital Writing (DWS): Scale Development Study

Abstract

Considering the technological developments in recent years, it can be said that it is inevitable to use the screen instead of the paper and the keyboard instead of the pen. It is quite a normal process for pre-service teachers to be affected by these technological developments. Determining pre-service teachers' attitudes towards digital writing can be significant in terms of determining their pre-service competencies. This study aims to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool to determine pre-service teachers' attitudes toward digital writing. The study group of the research consists of teacher candidates studying in 2nd and 3rd grades at eleven different departments in the Faculties of Education at Dokuz Eylul (n = 697) and Pamukkale Universities (n = 804). Scale items were applied to a total of 1501 participants (Female = 991; male = 510). Both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to determine the scale's factor structure. According to the analyzes, DWS consists of three subscales (convenience, motivation, effect subscales) and 25 items. The exploratory factor analysis observed that the items had a factor load between 0.41 and 0.68. It was determined as 38.309% of the variance value determined for the whole scale. CFA result chi(2) = (272, N = 1501) = 1895.32; RMSEA = .063; SRMR = .052; It reached acceptable fit values with CFI = .94 and NNFI = .94. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole scale was calculated as .83.