Assessment of digital competencies of teacher educators with the DigCompEdu framework

This study aims to examine the digital competence levels of teacher

educators, one of the essential stakeholders in the field of education,

and their experiences of using digital technology in education

processes based on the Digital Competencies for Educators

(DigCompEdu) Framework. The study used an explanatory design, one

of the mixed-method research designs. One hundred thirteen teacher

educators working in a major state university in Türkiye participated in

the study. According to the findings, teacher educators mostly use

Learning Management Systems (LMS) and digital presentations,

videos, and digital assessment tools. They have high competence in

using digital technologies and see their work environment as sufficient

in terms of technical infrastructure. Teacher educators' digital

competencies and competencies for the leading competence areas are

at the "Integrative - B1" level. Teacher educators at these levels are

curious and open to innovations. However, educators should be

supported in gaining higher-level competencies, such as using digital

technologies, by supporting them with pedagogical approaches and

providing guidance to other educators. In the interviews with teacher

educators, the necessity of professional development programs in

developing digital competencies for teacher educators and pre-service

teachers was mentioned. In this context, obtained results and

implications were discussed in detail.