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Teachers

Research Highlights Teacher Digital Competence in Higher Education Institutions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

New research conducted by Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro has shed light on the effectiveness of micro-courses in enhancing teachers' digital competence in universities and higher education institutions. The study aimed to synthesize existing evidence on training strategies for teacher digital competence and assess the effectiveness of micro-courses as flexible and contextualized means to strengthen areas of digital competence with lower proficiency levels. The research team employed a systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, and analyzed articles published between 2017 and 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study revealed that, although there is a considerable amount of research related to teacher digital competence, a more specific search significantly reduced the number of relevant texts from an initial total of 206 selected articles to 17 that met the key criteria for assessing the risk of bias.
  • The research concluded that micro-courses can be an effective means to strengthen teacher digital competence in higher education institutions, particularly in areas with lower proficiency levels.
  • The study highlights the importance of teacher digital competence in higher education institutions and emphasizes the need for more research in this field to provide an integrated perspective on research conducted in this area.
  • The systematic review was conducted using a comprehensive search of academic databases, including ScienceDirect, ERIC, Google Scholar, Dialnet, Redalyc, and SciELO, to ensure a thorough analysis of existing literature on the topic.
  • The research team, led by Sandra-Ines Trujillo-Juarez, also included Ricardo Chaparro-Sanchez, Adelina Morita-Alexander, Alexandro Escudero-Nahon, and Alexandra Delgado-Gonzalez.
  • The study's findings have implications for educators and policymakers, highlighting the need for targeted training programs and resources to support teachers in developing their digital competence.

Statistics:

  • 206 articles were selected for analysis from a comprehensive search of databases, but only 17 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
  • 17 articles were ultimately evaluated and synthesized, revealing the effectiveness of micro-courses in enhancing teacher digital competence.
  • The study was conducted between 2017 and 2025, covering a period of eight years.
  • The systematic review was conducted using a comprehensive search of academic databases, including 6 major databases (ScienceDirect, ERIC, Google Scholar, Dialnet, Redalyc, and SciELO).
  • The study's findings aim to provide an integrated perspective on research conducted in the field of teacher digital competence.

Sources:

  • Strengthening teacher digital competence in higher education through micro-courses: a systematic literature review. Discover Education, 2025,4(1):1-32.
  • Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro, Facultad de Informatica.
  • NewsRx. Data on Education Detailed by Researchers at Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro (Strengthening teacher digital competence in higher education through micro-courses: a systematic literature review). Education Letter. September 3, 2025; p 63.

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