Using the Personal Construction of Technology Use (PCTU) Theory to understand students’ information, technology and inquiry learning experiences in the blended classroom

Abstract

This paper presents a new theory called the 'Personal Construction of Technology Use' (PCTU) Theory [Hay 2017].  This theory provides an explanation of how students’ experiences with learning technologies influence their views on using these technologies to support their learning.  The development of this theory is based on doctoral research that explored the ways specific Web 2.0 technologies were utilised by students while undertaking inquiry projects.  This paper outlines the domains, dimensions, processes and principles of the PCTU Theory, and demonstrates how educators can employ PCTU Theory to better understand the complex nature of students’ information, technology and inquiry learning experiences within a blended classroom environment.