The digital competences of future professionals in Physical Activity and Sports in Ecuador
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v67.112741Keywords:
Digital competences, Physical Activity Pedagogy, Higher education, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Educational innovationAbstract
The study analysed the digital competencies of Physical Activity and Sports Pedagogy students in Ecuador, highlighting their relevance to professional development in an increasingly digitalised environment. It examined the skills of 908 students from four universities, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and differences related to gender and institutional context through a quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory approach using the CDAES questionnaire, which evaluates creativity, innovation, research, digital citizenship, and communication. Results revealed that students excelled in research, information management, digital citizenship, and creativity but faced challenges in communication, digital collaboration, and basic ICT concepts. Significant differences were observed between universities, with male students scoring slightly higher, although no notable gender gaps were identified. The findings align with previous research pointing to inequalities in access to and use of technology, emphasising the need to address inflated perceptions of digital skills. The study concludes that universities must foster equity in digital skills training and incorporate the ethical use of artificial intelligence to equip future educators for contemporary educational and professional challenges.
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