Demand for Digital Skills in Primary Education

Abstract

The content of education and the philosophy of education are subjects of constant review, evaluation, and changes that are reflected in school curricula. This should also be reflected in the content of pre-service teacher studies as reforms might change the skills and competences of graduates, which facilitate new graduates' success in the workplace. The article discusses the use of digital tools in primary education, reflecting on the situation in Slovak schools. The aim of the present study was to analyze teachers' readiness to apply them, as well as their perception of the effectiveness of using ICT in the educational process after the pandemic situation. A total of 122 Slovak teachers took part in the study, which involved completing a questionnaire. The results indicate that, in general, teachers use technologies and see the benefits of its use. However, regardless of the length of their teaching practice, they do not feel prepared for its effective application. The results of this study further support the idea of implementing ICT in university courses for future teachers, which will help them in their work. This study lays the groundwork for future research into the problem of implementing ICT in university courses for future teachers.