Influence of digital competencies of special and inclusive education teachers on the effectiveness of their professional activities

Abstract

Introduction. In modern socio-political and economic conditions, the results of the professional activities of special and inclusive education teachers are influenced by various key factors, namely, digital competencies such as information, communication, information security and technological. The study aims to analyze and evaluate the development of digital competencies of special and inclusive education teachers and their impact on professional activities. Materials and methods. The impact of digital competencies on the effectiveness of professional activities of special education teachers was assessed through content analysis of the results of a questionnaire developed using Google Forms and of methodological materials provided by respondents. 467 teachers of special and inclusive education system of various constituent entities of the Russian Federation took part in the study. The obtained data were processed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 23 software. Correlation analysis was used for statistical data processing. Results. The survey showed that 2% of respondents with up to 20 years of work experience and 3% of respondents with more than 20 years of work experience noted a low degree of influence that development of digital competencies has on the results of professional activities; 59% of respondents with less than 5 years of work experience rated the degree of such influence as high. Interpretation of the results obtained showed a certain correlation between the professional activities effectiveness in this category of teachers and formation of the studied competencies according to such assessment parameters as age, level of education, and period of professional activity. Conclusion. Analysis of the results identified a number of patterns indicating the need to create conditions (material and technical support, opportunities for self-education and professional growth, various forms of training and internship, etc.) for systematic development of digital competencies among teachers of special and inclusive education.