Development and Validation of the Teachers’ Digital Competence Scale (TDiCoS)

Abstract

The competences expected from teachers are described in several international reports. An investigation of teacher competences has a potential to analyze and delineate the current situation. Assessment of any construct necessitates utilization of appropriate scales with established validity and reliability. Currently available validated digital competence scales have examined digital competences of citizens, teachers, students, but most are based on only one digital competence framework. In this study a valid, reliable, and comprehensive scale entitled “Teachers’ Digital Competence Scale” (TDiCoS) for teachers of different subjects has been obtained by relying on standards/policy reports from several countries. TDiCoS items measure teachers' self-assessment and report of their use of digital technologies in their classrooms. TDiCoS was validated on a sample of 288 in-service teachers. In the final form TDiCoS is unidimensional and composed of 19 items. The model fit criteria, factor loadings, internal validity, and reliability of TDiCoS were examined and found to be good. Hence, it can inform design of new policies and teacher professional development programs targeting digital competences.