THE PROBLEM OF DEVELOPING DIGITAL COMPETENCE OF FUTURE TEACHERS IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITALIZATION OF SCHOOLS

Аннотация

The digitalization of schools necessitates the development of digital competence among future teachers to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement. However, inadequate teacher training programs, limited access to digital resources, and resistance to technological change hinder this process. This paper explores the challenges and solutions associated with equipping future educators with digital skills. It highlights the need for curriculum reforms, institutional support, and continuous professional development to ensure teachers can integrate technology effectively. Ethical considerations and digital citizenship education are also crucial components of teacher preparation. Addressing these challenges will enable a smoother transition towards digitalized education, ultimately improving learning outcomes and preparing students for atechnology-driven world. Keywords: digital competence, teacher training, school digitalization, educational technology, professional development The digitalization of education is an inevitable and necessary step in the modern era, particularly as technology continues to reshape various aspects of human life. Schools, as the fundamental institutions of learning, must integrate digital tools and methodologies to provide students with relevant skills and knowledge suited for the 21st century. However, the successful digitalization of schools largely depends on the digital competence of teachers, who serve as the primary facilitators of education. The problem of developing digital competence among future teachers is, therefore, one of the most pressing challenges in the modern education system. This issue requires a comprehensive analysis, as it involves multiple factors, including teacher training programs, access to digital resources, institutional support, and the overall readiness of educational systems to embrace technology. Digital competence refers to the ability to use digital technologies effectively, safely, and responsibly. It includes technical skills such as operating educational software and platforms, as well as broader competencies like digital pedagogy, online communication, and ethical considerations regarding digital content. In the context of teaching, digital competence is not merely about using digital devices but about incorporating them effectively into pedagogical practices to enhance student engagement, learning outcomes, and critical thinking skills. Despite the increasing emphasis on digital education, many future teachers still struggle to acquire adequate digital competence due to gaps in teacher training programs, limited exposure to https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi volume 4,issue2,2025 417 modern technologies, and resistance to change. One of the fundamental challenges in developing digital competence among future teachers is the inadequacy of teacher education programs in preparing them for the digital age. Traditional teacher training curricula often focus on theoretical aspects of education while paying limited attention to practical digital skills. Many teacher training institutions still emphasize conventional teaching methods, leaving future educators underprepared to integrate technology into their classrooms. As a result, when these teachers enter the workforce, they face difficulties in adopting digital tools effectively, which can hinder the digitalization process of schools. To address this issue, teacher education programs must undergo significant reform by incorporating comprehensive digital literacy training that equips educators with the necessary skills to navigate themodern educational landscape. Moreover, access to digital resources and infrastructure plays a crucial role in shaping the digital competence of future teachers. In many regions, particularly in developing countries, teacher training institutions lack the necessary digital tools, such as interactive whiteboards, e-learning platforms, and high-speed internet. This digital divide creates an uneven playing field, where some future teachers receive extensive digital exposure while others struggle with outdated teaching methods. Without sufficient access to digital resources during their training, many teachers develop a reluctance or fear towards technology, which ultimately affects their ability to integrate digital tools into their teaching practices later on. To overcome this issue, governments and educational institutions must invest in digital infrastructure for teacher training programs, ensuring that all educators, regardless oftheir geographical location, have access to thenecessary toolsand experiences to develop strong digital competencies. Another significant barrier to digital competence development is the resistance to change that many educators exhibit. The introduction of digital tools in schools often requires teachers to modify their traditional teaching approaches and adopt new pedagogical strategies. However, some future teachers may be hesitant to