Characteristics of professional competencies of computer science teacher in digital learning environment: digital competence

Abstract

Relevance. Digital technologies are presently widely used in general education. Formation of learners’ digital literacy is becoming an important issue. A special role is given to computer science teacher. There is a need for additional research into professional competencies of computer science teacher in the digital education environment, formation of digital competency, his/her readiness to become a tutor for schoolchildren in mastering digital skills. The means for formation of digital competence are practice-oriented assignments on the use of digital technologies in the pedagogical practice. The purpose of the paper is systematisation of tasks handled by the teacher in the digital education environment and development of recommendations for the formation of digital competence of the computer science teacher. Methodology and methods of research. The methodological basis of the research is represented by the ideas of systemic and competency-based approaches in defining the substance of digital competence and characterising the teacher’s success in digital education environment based on the formed digital competence, teacher’s readiness to become a tutor of schoolchildren in learning the digital world and formation of digital literacy. The research results are presented by the description of practice-oriented creative tasks aimed at the formation of digital competence of computer science teacher and systematised by digital proficiency areas according to the digital competencies groups. The scientific novelty, when developing the characteristics of digital competence of a computer science teacher, stems from the use of the notion of structure and content of learners’ digital literacy, the need for formation of digital competencies that would allow a computer science teacher to become a tutor for learners in mastering digital skills, in development of digital competence characteristics of a computer science instructor. The practical significance of the presented research results lies in the possibility of their use in developing the content of the communicative/digital module of pedagogical baccalaureate programmes, in the development of complementary professional education programmes ensuring the formation of teachers’ digital competence and development of their professional readiness for practical use of innovative educational models and digital technologies with a view to form the learners’ digital literacy, create a comfortable and safe learning environment.