Digital Citizenship as a Requisite competence for Teacher Educators in Malawi

Abstract

This paper explores digital citizenship, defined as norms of behaviour regarding technology use, as a technology competence for teacher  educators in Malawi. Developing teacher educators as digital citizens is essential as teacher education institutions change, such as transitioning to online instruction following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We reviewed the research literature and teacher  education policy documents to show how teacher educators can facilitate the development of ethical use of educational technology in  Malawi. Theoretically, by foregrounding the ethical use of digital technology in education, we join critical scholarship that reflects on the  socio-political implications of digital technology and imagine the future of education through technology. We have proposed professional development activities and content areas for teacher educators. We have also discussed further research that can advance scholarship on  the role of teacher educators in facilitating the development of ethical use of educational technology in Malawi.