The Use of Digital Technologies in Professional Training of Primary School Teachers

Abstract

The growing significance of digital technologies in society creates a need to train teachers who can use these technologies in the educational process and prepare students for life in the digital world. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of digital technologies used in professional training of primary school teachers on increasing their professional competence level. The adapted versions of Ferrell & Daniel’s test for Measuring Teacher Career Motivations, the Orshanski’s orientation of future teachers towards humanistic and professional value were used to diagnose the state of development of professional competence. The level of the development of the subjectsubjective model of pedagogical communication (modified test based on Sternberg & Williams, Alexander & Winne) and the level of projective skills in primary school teachers were also diagnosed. The students’ performance was assessed based on the results of the examinations. Chisquared test (χ2) was used for statistical confirmation of the conducted research. Positive dynamics were found in both groups after the formative stage of the experiment. However, the experimental group was noted for greater quantitative and qualitative improvement for the selected criteria. The largest changes were observed for the operational criterion with a difference of 15.40% (against 7.90% in the control group). The cognitive criterion showed the smallest increase: 8.5% in the experimental group compared to 3.4% in the control group. The high general mean showed a difference of 11.22% for the experimental group and 5.1% for the control group