Digital Competence and Disability: A Qualitative Approach from the Perspective of University Teachers in Andalusia (Spain)

AbstractDigital competence in teaching is a challenge in the professional practice of university teachers and a problem identified in the research that needs to be addressed. In particular, assessment of the level of technological skills is a key element for making decisions regarding teacher training and future lines of research, especially when it comes to improving the learning of students with disabilities. Taking this challenge as a focus, the aim of our study has been to understand the perception of university teachers in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia (Spain) about their level of digital competence for the care of students with disabilities. The methodology used was qualitative, based on an interpretative paradigmatic perspective. In-depth interviews were used as an instrument for collecting information. The sample was made up of 64 university teachers belonging to nine University Education Centres in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia (Spain). Among the conclusions, this study highlights the low level of training in digital skills to support students with disabilities, despite an awareness of the importance of technology to help these students learn.Keywords: Digital competencedisabilityteacher traininghigher education AcknowledgmentsThis study is part of a doctoral thesis developed within the framework of the Doctoral Programme in Education at the University of Seville (Spain). Support has also been received from the Predoctoral Training Programme - Predoctoral Contracts (PIF), for the development of the VII-PPITUS.Disclosure StatementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.Additional informationFundingThis publication is part of the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, PID2019-108230RB-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.Notes on contributorsJosé Fernández-CereroJosé Fernández-Cerero is research staff of the Department of Didactics and Educational Organisation of the University of Seville (Spain).Marta Montenegro-RuedaMarta Montenegro-Rueda is research staff of the Department of Didactics and Educational Organisation of the University of Seville (Spain).