Exploring teacher educators’ challenges in the context of digital transformation and their self-reported TPACK: a mixed methods study

Abstract

The ongoing digital transformation requires teachers and teacher educators to re-conceptualise their roles and tasks. The purpose of the present study is to examine teacher educators’ challenges in the context of digital transformation, their technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and the role of personal and contextual characteristics. To this end, this study employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design. Data were collected from individual semi-structured interviews (N = 8) and an online questionnaire (N = 179). Findings reveal that teacher educators experience challenges on the lecturer and institutional level. However, they rate their TPACK rather high. Results of multiple linear regression analysis indicate that frequency of digital technology use and perceived challenges are significant predictors of TPACK. Findings of the study shed light on teacher educators’ digital upskilling needs and relevant personal and contextual factors which need to be considered in the design of professional development curricula.