Application of ICT in pre-service teacher education: The case of Jimma University, Ethiopia

The purpose of the study is to explore the use of ICT in pre-service teacher education program in Ethiopia from the perspectives of student teachers and teacher educators. To this end, an in-depth interview was conducted to solicit data from 12 teacher educators and 14 student teachers. Accordingly, the study shows the use of ICT both by student teachers and teacher educators as a vital pillar for the preparation of would be teachers. However, the use of ICT in each group seemed to vary and further classified depending on the purpose and the degree of use. For instance, ICT use by student teachers identified as learning the application of the ICT as well as learning by using ICT. Learning by using ICT further sorted into teacher educators’ directed and self-directed use of ICT. Thus, the article presents these diverse practices of ICT use along with narratives from participants. Finally, implications for further actions for the betterment of ICT use in the area were unveiled.