Professional development of educators' online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Croatia

Abstract

Preschool educators work in kindergartens and provide care and education, upbringing, and social and health care of children from the first year of life until they enroll in primary school. During their work, preschool educators are obliged to improve their skills and develop professionally in order to improve the educational process. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a number of limitations to educators, which in turn affect the quality of the professional development. Modern forms of online learning are available via Internet, digital devices, and various learning platforms. The paper investigates the conditions for educators' professional development in the online environment during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Croatia. The aim of the research was to determine the conditions and level of support for online professional learning of preschool educators. The research was conducted using a survey method and the questionnaire was used to assess satisfaction with the conditions of online professional learning of preschool educators and developed for the purpose for this research. The results of this research emphasize the need to examine the possibility of using digital technology and the Internet in online learning of preschool educators. The research improved the field of professional development of preschool educators.