Special Issue "Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Education and Approaches".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Pilar Colás-Bravo
E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Research Methods and Diagnosis in Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Seville, Seville, 41014, Spain
Interests: ICT in education; teaching training; digital teaching competence; research and training for gender equity; quantitative and qualitative research methods in education; quantitative and qualitative data analysis
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Dr. Jesús Conde-Jimenez
E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Area of Research Methods and Diagnosis in Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, 11510, Spain
Interests: digital competence; ICT in education; teaching training; quantitative and qualitative research methods in education; quantitative and qualitative data analysis; engagement; learning environments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Digital teaching competences are a relevant field of analysis and study at scientific, political, and social levels. In the last decade, there has been a paradigm shift in the concept of digital teacher competence. It has gone from a technical conception, as a technological domain, to focusing on its transforming and activating value of the development of digital competences of students. This new orientation understands that digital teaching competence must be oriented to promote and stimulate the agency of the student in the construction of a digital citizenship. This competence domain is manifested both in the responsible use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in problem solving and the use of critical and reflective thinking and attitude towards them. In sum, digital teaching competence is aimed at training citizens to make conscious, active, and participatory use of e-society through ICT.

From this conception, digital competences become empowering, transforming, and expansive skills for a sustainable society, from a cultural, economic, environmental, and social perspective. Therefore, the training that digital teaching competence enables is closely linked to sustainability, while digital skills are linked to greater employability opportunities, to promote greater cohesion and social integration, as well as to improve the quality of life and have a greater awareness of the present and future of humanity.

From an educational point of view, this implies and entails the construction of a digital culture (e-society). Therefore, digital teaching competence is at the service of building a sustainable digital citizenship.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to make visible and show the scientific knowledge and findings on the theme of this monograph: digital teaching competence and sustainable development.

In this Special Issue, there is room for empirical research, reviews, theoretical contributions, and good practices on topics according to the theme of this monograph.

Prof. Dr. Pilar Colás-Bravo
Dr. Jesús Conde-Jimenez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • digital competence
  • digital teaching competence, sustainability and ICT
  • teacher training in ICT
  • educational practices with ICT
  • learning with ICT
  • sustainable development

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Article
Understanding the Difference of Teachers’ TLPACK before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Two Groups of Teachers
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8827; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168827 - 06 Aug 2021
Viewed by 354
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak has suddenly changed the landscape of education worldwide. Many governments have moved education completely online, with the idea that although schools are shut, classes can continue; however, the question regarding whether teachers are prepared for this massive shift in educational [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 outbreak has suddenly changed the landscape of education worldwide. Many governments have moved education completely online, with the idea that although schools are shut, classes can continue; however, the question regarding whether teachers are prepared for this massive shift in educational practice remains unanswered. This study addresses this issue through the lens of teachers’ technology, learners, pedagogy, academic discipline content, and content knowledge (TLPACK). Two groups of 250 teachers (n = 500) who teach various levels of students participated in a two-phase survey. The phases of the survey took place in 2017 and 2020 (i.e., before and during the COVID-19 pandemic). Participants answered 38 reliable and valid questions about TLPACK to address three research questions, and the collected data were subjected to frequentist and Bayesian statistical analysis. The analysis indicated that teachers’ TLPACKs were significantly different before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study revealed significant correlations among teachers’ TLPACK constructs and found that, among these constructs, the strongest relationship was that between learner knowledge (i.e., knowledge about the learners) and pedagogy knowledge. The study ends by reflecting on our findings’ implications, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have significant altering effects on both education and society at large. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development)
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Article
Development of Teacher Digital Competence in the Area of E-Safety through Educational Video Games
Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8485; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158485 - 29 Jul 2021
Viewed by 335
Abstract
There is a clear need to promote motivating and effective training actions for the development of teachers’ digital competence, especially in the area of e-safety. Although educational video game-based learning has proven effective to improve motivation and learning outcomes, the existing evidence about [...] Read more.
There is a clear need to promote motivating and effective training actions for the development of teachers’ digital competence, especially in the area of e-safety. Although educational video game-based learning has proven effective to improve motivation and learning outcomes, the existing evidence about its effectiveness for the development of teachers’ digital competence is very limited. This study examines the use of educational video games in an online course in MOOC format with the aim of developing teachers’ digital competence in the e-safety area. A total of 179 teachers from nonuniversity schools in the region of Castilla y León (Spain) participated in this study. A pre-test and a post-test were used to measure the knowledge acquired by the participants, and a questionnaire was used to measure their perceptions. The obtained results suggest that game-based learning using educational video games is an effective and viable approach to train teachers in the e-safety area of digital competence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development)
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Article
Design, Validation and Implementation of a Questionnaire to Assess Teenagers’ Digital Competence in the Area of Communication in Digital Environments
Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6733; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126733 - 14 Jun 2021
Viewed by 659
Abstract
This article describes the process of design, validation, and implementation (N = 609) of a questionnaire drawn up ad hoc to assess the digital competence of compulsory education students (ages 11 to 13) in the area of communication. The test measures students’ knowledge, [...] Read more.
This article describes the process of design, validation, and implementation (N = 609) of a questionnaire drawn up ad hoc to assess the digital competence of compulsory education students (ages 11 to 13) in the area of communication. The test measures students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the six competences that make up the area of communication, as established in the Framework for the Development and Knowledge of Digital Competence in Europe (DigComp): interacting through new technologies, sharing of information and content, online citizen participation, collaboration through digital technologies, netiquette, and digital identity management. The purposes of the study are to design and validate an instrument to assess compulsory education students’ digital competences in the area of communication based on their knowledge, skills, and attitudes and to analyse such instrument’s psychometric characteristics with special emphasis on its reliability and validity. The method used consisted of the implementation of various psychometric validation techniques and the analysis of the results based on statistical descriptions. Items show adequate discrimination and difficulty indices. Validity was guaranteed through expert judgement and factorial analysis of the test. The conclusion stresses the pressing need for education centres to provide students with adequate educational-communicative training. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development)
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Article
Development and Validation of a Digital Learning Competence Scale: A Comprehensive Review
Sustainability 2021, 13(10), 5593; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105593 - 17 May 2021
Viewed by 666
Abstract
Digital learning competence (DLC) can help students learn effectively in digital learning environments. However, most of the studies in the literature focused on digital competencies in general without paying specific attention to learning. Therefore, this paper developed a DLC framework based on a [...] Read more.
Digital learning competence (DLC) can help students learn effectively in digital learning environments. However, most of the studies in the literature focused on digital competencies in general without paying specific attention to learning. Therefore, this paper developed a DLC framework based on a comprehensive literature review, which consists of six dimensions, namely technology use, cognitive processing, digital reading skill, time-management, peer management and will management. This study then developed a scale to assess these competencies where 3473 middle school students participated in the scale validation process. Specifically, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and item discrimination were used to validate this scale. The six dimensions accounted for 58.66% of the total variance of the scale. The overall internal consistency coefficient was 0.94 for the scale. The results showed that the developed DLC scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing middle school students’ digital learning competence. The findings of this study can help teachers and specialists to improve the competencies of their learners by providing a new validated scale that could be used to assess learners and identify their DLC weakness, hence provide the needed trainings accordingly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development)
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Article
Basic Education Students’ Digital Competence in the Area of Communication: The Influence of Online Communication and the Use of Social Networks
Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4442; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084442 - 15 Apr 2021
Viewed by 608
Abstract
The global public health crisis unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that digital competence in education is no longer an option, but a necessity. Online communication with friends using social networks is an activity in which young people very frequently [...] Read more.
The global public health crisis unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that digital competence in education is no longer an option, but a necessity. Online communication with friends using social networks is an activity in which young people very frequently and at increasingly early ages engage. This article presents the results of a study analyses digital-competence levels in the area of communication of Spanish basic-education students (aged 12–16) and establishes whether online communication with friends and the use of social media impact it. A quantitative methodology with a descriptive and cross-sectional design was used. The sample comprised 807 students, and data collection was based on a problem-solving test. Findings show that students who use online communication with their friends very often and that those who use social networks a lot have lower levels of digital competence. Education centres should reflect on this in order to implement curricular programs that may strengthen this type of competence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development)
Article
The Current Challenges of Further Education in ICT with the Example of the Czech Republic
Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4106; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084106 - 07 Apr 2021
Viewed by 543
Abstract
Schools have an irreplaceable role in preparing the young generation for educational, professional, and social challenges, however, this effort fails if teachers themselves are not equipped with sufficient ICT competencies and do not work on their constant development. The presented quantitative study analyzed [...] Read more.
Schools have an irreplaceable role in preparing the young generation for educational, professional, and social challenges, however, this effort fails if teachers themselves are not equipped with sufficient ICT competencies and do not work on their constant development. The presented quantitative study analyzed how secondary school teachers understand and actively use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in their teaching practice and what barriers they encounter in terms of the further education in ICT provided by accredited institutions. In a sample of 1846 Czech teachers who completed an online survey, results showed they lacked both understanding and active use of new technologies, rarely participated in further education, and were unsatisfied with the courses provided to them. Their main barriers to further education were the lack of sufficient technology available in school, insufficient knowledge and skills in ICT, and the lack of support from school management. Unlike in other studies, time was not identified as an important barrier. Possible legislative, educational, and school management consequences regarding the further education in ICT based on the barriers in attending the courses and identified age and gender differences are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development)
Article
The Impact of the Virtual Learning Platform EDUKA on the Academic Performance of Primary School Children
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2268; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042268 - 19 Feb 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 995
Abstract
The modern teaching/learning environment is, like never before, rich with digital teaching/learning technologies and tools that are becoming part of children’s daily lives. Background: In Lithuania, virtual teaching/learning platforms (environments for mathematics, knowledge of nature, history, and language practice) in primary education became [...] Read more.
The modern teaching/learning environment is, like never before, rich with digital teaching/learning technologies and tools that are becoming part of children’s daily lives. Background: In Lithuania, virtual teaching/learning platforms (environments for mathematics, knowledge of nature, history, and language practice) in primary education became more widely used approximately three years ago after the implementation and application of the virtual teaching/learning platform EDUKA. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of the virtual teaching/learning platform EDUKA on the learning outcomes of primary-grade students in the subject of mathematics. Methods: In this study, a pre-test/middle-test/post-test experimental strategy was used to avoid any disruption of educational activities due to the random selection of children in each group. Mathematical diagnostic progress tests (MDPTs) are an objective way to measure skills and abilities. The MDPTs were divided into two sections: the tasks were allocated according to performance levels and the content, as well as fields of activity and cognitive skills. The assessment of all areas of activity was based on the primary school children’s performance (i.e., unsatisfactory, satisfactory, basic, and advanced). Results: An analysis of the results of the MDPTs showed that, across the seven possible tasks, both male and female seven-year-old children achieved satisfactory results (results were observed between groups) (post-test: control gathering (CG) 5.10; test gathering (EG) 5.04; p = 0.560), basic results (post-test: CG 6.28; EG 6.42; p = 0.630), and advanced results (post-test: CG 1.90; EG 2.27; p = 0.025). The differences between the pre-test and post-test advanced (p = 0.038) and the pre-test and post-test basic (p = 0.018) levels were found to increase. Conclusions: It was found that intensively integrating the virtual learning platform EDUKA into formal education—specifically in the subject of mathematics—had a significant impact on primary school children’s mathematical performance. In addition, after the experiment, a statistically significant difference was found (p < 0.05) in primary school children with higher levels. The intervention in the experimental group (i.e., integration of the virtual learning platform into the formal mathematics learning process) had a positive impact on access to mathematics. Students’ math learning achievements were positive in progressive mathematics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development)
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Article
Digital Technologies at the Pre-University and University Levels
Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10426; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410426 - 13 Dec 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 698
Abstract
The education sector is undergoing significant challenges in the process of transforming learning models in order to face the new requirements of our hyper-connected society. Teaching students how to adequately interact as active and committed citizens in our knowmadic global society is the [...] Read more.
The education sector is undergoing significant challenges in the process of transforming learning models in order to face the new requirements of our hyper-connected society. Teaching students how to adequately interact as active and committed citizens in our knowmadic global society is the most challenging task facing educators nowadays. Moreover, the university must consider a student’s knowledge of digital technologies to be able to design new educational models that respond to their current needs. The aim of our research is to assess that knowledge and the use of digital technologies among college students and the relationship this has with their prior academic experience. Data collection included a validated ad-hoc questionnaire divided into 16 categories applied to 757 students of both sexes between 20 and 57 years of age. The results show that, irrespective of gender and age, those students who have used Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in their secondary education have a better knowledge of how to use them to their advantage throughout their university learning process. In conclusion, students need to undergo a training in digital skills before entering university, so as to equip them with a higher level of digital competence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development)
Article
A Comprehensive Model of Teaching Digital Design in Architecture that Incorporates Sustainability
Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8368; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208368 - 12 Oct 2020
Viewed by 579
Abstract
Digital technology and its use in architecture support the construction industry in transitioning to more sustainable building development. Digital technology is widely taught in architecture programs in China, but there are few consistent strategies for combining digital architectural design with traditional architectural design [...] Read more.
Digital technology and its use in architecture support the construction industry in transitioning to more sustainable building development. Digital technology is widely taught in architecture programs in China, but there are few consistent strategies for combining digital architectural design with traditional architectural design in architectural education. Consequently, sustainable design concepts are not included in digital architectural design courses, and thus architectural education is not concerned with sustainable development. In this paper, we focus on the teaching of digital design in architecture and investigate how digital architectural design teaching can incorporate sustainability. Data from 15 universities were qualitatively analyzed, leading to the development of four models of teaching digital architectural design. Development of the models revealed that there are three increasing levels in digital architectural design teaching and that there is a close relationship between the teaching level and the transfer of architectural knowledge. This recognition led to the development of a single comprehensive model of digital architectural design teaching that is universally applicable. This research increases our understanding of digital architectural design teaching in architecture programs and strengthens the multi-level connections between digital architectural design teaching and designing and constructing sustainable built objects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Teaching Competences for Sustainable Development)
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