Spanish secondary school teachers' digital competence in COVID-19 time

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to analyse the ICT resources and teaching methodologies used by high school teachers before and during the state of alarm decreed by the Spanish state to combat COVID-19, as well as the teachers' opinion about their own training in digital competences. The information was collected through a questionnaire designed ad hoc addressed to all Biology and Geology teachers in the autonomous community of Castilla y León (Spain) who taught in ESO, Baccalaureate and/or Vocational Training centres during the 2020/2021 academic year (n=145). The results obtained show that the use of ICT increased considerably during the state of alarm, allowing for the adaptation of teaching programmes and methodology. The teachers surveyed considered that their use facilitated the teaching-learning process, however, a high percentage claimed not to have the necessary training and resources. Our study also suggests the existence of a digital divide in the Spanish education system, as a high percentage of teachers indicated that not all their students had the means and/or the necessary training to use virtual learning environments or virtual educational communication tools.