Innovation in initial teacher training. Development of digital competence for future teachers

Abstract

It is a fact that the current educational system, largely designed to address the learning needs of the industrial era, is facing the need to develop new approaches aimed to provide an education that is more appropriate to the digital era. The digital training of young people calls for an optimal preparation of teachers. In order to respond to the needs and characteristics of today's society, many educational institutions are implementing initiatives to ensure that their teachers have a suitable level of digital skills and that they can contribute to the successful development of students in the 21st century. The Faculties of Sciences of Education should ensure that future teachers acquire the skills needed to be proficient in a rapidly changing world, and they should provide the kind of training required to develop teaching and professional digital skills. This paper consists primarily of a review of the profile of teaching professionals in the 21st century and a theoretical approach to the concept and dimensions of teachers’ digital competence, together with a selection of innovative practices for the development of teachers’ digital competence in initial teacher training in the national and international context. Finally, a series of recommendations based on scientific evidence and proven experience is included.

Keywords: Teachers’ digital competence; training; innovation; education.