RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRINCIPAL TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND TEACHER ICT COMPETENCY

Abstract

This study aims at examining the relationship between principal technology leadership practices and teacher ICT competency in Negeri Sembilan secondary schools in Malaysia. This is a non-experimental quantitative research using survey technique through the administration of a set of questionnaires on teacher demographic variables, principal technology leadership practices and teacher ICT competency. Some 417 returned questionnaires have been analyzed. The findings showed that teachers in Negeri Sembilan secondary schools perceived that their principals have high level of technology leadership and they also rated themselves as having high level of ICT competency. Furthermore, data indicated a statistically significant positive and moderately strong correlation between principal technology leadership practices and teacher ICT competency. In addition, the multiple regression analysis showed that digital citizenship and systemic improvement are the two principal technology leadership practice dimensions that are statistically significant predictors of teacher ICT competency. The fitness indices of the proposed structural model do not achieve the level of fitness required for RMSEA (Root Mean Square of Error Approximation), GFI (Goodness of Fit Index), and Ratio Chisq/df (Chi-square/ Degrees of Freedom). Thus, a re-specified structural model was established for this study.