The impact of digital skills on teachers’ self-efficacy: results of an exploratory survey

The self-efficacy theory developed by Bandura states that the individual is not a passive spectator of the will of the environment, but an active organism capable of agency, that is, of exercising causal power. Perception of self-efficacy in teaching refers to teachers’ belief about their own ability to positively influence student performance. Several studies have shown that teachers with a high sense of self-efficacy support students with difficulties, have better classroom management, enforce rules, promote better academic achievement, and are more motivated than teachers with a low level of perceived selfefficacy. In addition, the teacher with a good perception of self-efficacy benefits from the technological innovations they have access to within the school system in which they work. Digital competence corresponds to the ability to effectively use digital technologies to achieve results and solve problems. The combination of good perceptions of self-efficacy and good digital skills can help teachers effectively integrate technologies into teaching practice, thereby improving student learning. The study aims to measure the relationship between perceived self-efficacy in teaching and digital pedagogical skills in its various components. For the first variable, the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale adapted from Biasi and Domenici composed of three scales was used: Efficacy for Student Engagement, Efficacy for Instructional Strategies and Efficacy for Classroom Engagement. For digital pedagogical competencies, the DigCompEdu questionnaire was distributed in six areas: Professional Engagement and Enhancement, Digital Resources, Teaching and Learning Practices, Assessment of Learning, Enhancing Students’ Potential, and Fostering Students’ Digital Competence Development. Exploring the relationship between perceptions of selfefficacy and digital competence could, therefore, offer teachers an understanding that the good use of digital technologies can foster more active, participatory, and engaging learning. Moreover, the use of digital technologies can help overcome socioeconomic and educational access barriers, improving equity and the level of school inclusion.