The Degree of Suitability of Professional Development Programs for Teachers to the Requirements of the Digital Age from the Perspective of Public School Teachers

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to reveal the degree of suitability of professional development programs for teachers to the requirements of the digital age from teachers' perspectives and identify the differences based on variables such as gender, teacher rank, academic qualification, and years of experience. Methodology: To achieve the study's objectives, a descriptive survey method was used, and a questionnaire was developed that included 30 items distributed into three dimensions: supporting integration with life skills, supporting professional growth and advancement, and supporting digital learning environments. A simple random sample consisting of 550 male and female teachers was selected from public schools under the jurisdiction of the Directorate of Education in the Al-Ramtha district during the second semester of the academic year 2022/2023. Results: The results showed that the overall level of suitability of professional development programs for teachers to the requirements of the digital age was moderate. The findings indicated that there were significant differences due to gender in favor of females regarding the degree of suitability of professional development programs to the requirements of the digital age. In the teacher rank variable, the differences were in favor of teachers with higher ranks, while in the academic qualification category, the differences were in favor of those teachers holding a master’s degree or higher. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences attributable to the variable of years of experience. Conclusion: In light of these results, it is recommended that digital preparation and training of teachers be prioritized, and that teachers be provided with specialized training programs focusing on supporting life skills.

Keywords: Professional development, Digital age requirements, Government schools, Teachers.