The effect of SDLR and self‐efficacy in preschool teachers by using WS learning

This study examined whether self‐directed learning readiness (SDLR) moderates the association between Internet self‐efficacy and approaches to learning by web searching (ALWS). A total of 329 valid questionnaires were used for the correlation and path analysis. The results revealed that preschool teachers' SDLR significantly moderated the influence of Internet self‐efficacy and ALWS. Thus, this result suggests that spending more time on SDLR may increase preschool teachers' ALWS, which may enhance their teaching practice via web‐based professional development. Findings from this study may have implications for preschool teachers who aim to improve their teaching practice by targeting web‐searching environment and approaches to learning. The findings suggest that the positive mediation role of SDLR between Internet self‐efficacy and ALWS, especially effective learning, active learning and independent learning of SDLR. Because SDLR has the great influence on the online learning domain, preparing teacher's self‐directed learning ability is important for educational authorities to facilitate teachers' better performance when learning online.