Enhancing Digital Competence Among Pre-Service Teachers: The Role of Personalized Learning Plans in Teacher Education

Abstract

The increasing digitalisation of education necessitates a focus on developing digital competencies among pre-service teachers, a topic selected due to its relevance to 21st-century educational demands. The theoretical grounding of the paper was established through a comprehensive literature review covering digital literacy, Pedagogical Digital Competencies (PDC), and personalised learning. This study aims to explore the role of personalised learning plans in enhancing digital competencies, presenting a novel approach to curriculum design that integrates individualized development programs. A quantitative research method was employed using a structured questionnaire to assess pre-service teachers’ self-perceived digital competence and attitudes toward its importance in teaching. The findings reveal a significant gap between current digital skills and expected standards, as well as key barriers to technology integration. The study concludes that personalised learning plans can effectively support digital competency development. The research offers both theoretical contributions to the discourse on digital pedagogy and practical implications for teacher education programs.