Professional development of teachers in the context of digital transformation

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to explore the issues related to the development of teachers’ digital skills in the context of digital transformation, as well as the application of innovative technologies and their integration into the modern educational environment. In the course of the research, digital education, strategies for enhancing teachers’ digital competence, and key factors influencing professional development were analysed. The article examined the role of digital educational technologies in the learning process and addressed the challenges related to improving teachers’ digital competencies. The integration of digital technologies was aimed at increasing the effectiveness and accessibility of education. In the course of the study, the process of digitalisation of the education system of the Kyrgyz Republic, its main directions, and the results achieved were analysed. Three levels of teachers’ technological competence were examined: basic digital literacy, the ability to organise technological and professional activities, and information literacy. As part of the research, an experiment was conducted with the participation of university instructors and students. The experimental groups used digital education platforms (such as Google Classroom, Moodle, Zoom, etc.) and interactive teaching methods, including video lessons, online testing, and digital simulations. A comparison of the results of the pre- and post-tests made it possible to analyse the changes in students’ levels of knowledge. The results of the experiment demonstrated that knowledge acquisition indicators in the group using digital technologies increased by 25-30%. In addition, improvements were observed in students’ analytical thinking, critical reasoning, and independent learning skills. Enhancing teachers’ digital literacy also had a significant impact on the effectiveness of the educational process. The conducted study confirmed the positive influence of digital educational technologies on the professional development of both students and educators. However, certain issues remained unresolved, such as insufficient infrastructure, digital inequality, and challenges in teacher training. To ensure the effective use of digital technologies, it is essential to provide systematic training for teachers and improve the technical equipment of educational institutions