Abstract:

The attitudes of future teachers are considered as a key element in the educative process, given that they take part in the introduction, application and development of the variety of tools that can be used at class. Nowadays, one of the most pedagogical and popular innovative resources used in the different schools of the autonomous region of Aragon is the educational chess.

The main aim of this research is to analyse the attitudes of future teachers about including chess as an innovative tool, and more specifically, to determine teachers attitudinal profiles. This study was based on a selective (quantitative) methodology. In this sense, we administered a thirty-item questionnaire to 77 students who were in their last academic year of an undergraduate university degree in Primary School. This tool assessed the attitudes of the future teachers considering four scales referred to these areas: pedagogical, social and cognitive benefits of the educational chess, attitudes towards chess as an educational innovation-related tool, possibilities and level of educational chess-related teachers’ training and, finally, possibilities and viability of including chess in the teaching-learning process.

Thus, a descriptive analysis was carried out to determine teachers´ general attitude regarding the four areas mentioned. Additionally, a factorial analysis was conducted in order to clarify or establish factors to get a first approximation with regard to the common characteristics among the perspective of future teachers in relation with using chess as an innovative and educative tool. Finally, a cluster analysis was also carried out to distinguish and precise attitudinal profiles.

The results showed that the future teachers´ attitude is positive towards considering chess as an innovative and educative tool. Furthermore, according to the two attitudinal groups established, the most numerous group showed a positive attitude towards chess as an innovative and educative tool as well as towards its application in different subjects. This group of students was more trained in educative chess and was aware of the benefits and the possibilities offered by this tool.

In light of the above, it could be considered that future teachers in Aragon region rate the introduction of chess in the schools as positive, showing a positive attitude towards it as an innovative and educative tool.

Keywords:

Innovative tool, attitudes, chess, education.