An evaluation of factors affecting digital competence among pre-service science teachers at Makerere University.

Abstract

This study evaluated the factors affecting digital competence among pre-service science teachers at Makerere University which were; gender, subject of specialization and ownership of a computer. The Cultural History Activity Theory (CHAT) guided the study with the view that multiple factors must be considered in the development of an objective, in this case digital competence. A sample of 146 preservice science teachers was used and data collected from them using a self-administered questionnaire which was analyzed using SPSS. The findings revealed that there exists a relationship between gender and digital competence and this relationship can be either positive or negative. There is also a significant relationship between subject of specialization and digital competence, a highly positive relationship between ownership of a computer and digital competence. The study recommends that stakeholders, such as government and universities, provide personal computers to pre-service as this positively contributes to the development of their digital competence.