Evaluating Digital Competence: An Examination of Secondary School Teachers in China

Lei Jiang; Na Yu

doi:10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024880

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Lei Jiang ¹, Na Yu ² ^*

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¹ Curriculum and Instruction Research Center, Tianjin Academy of Educational Science, China² College of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, China^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

In recent years, the Chinese government has actively promoted the digital transformation of education, with a strong emphasis on integrating digital technologies into teaching practices. As a result, teachers’ digital competence has become a key focus of academic research. This study surveyed secondary school teachers in mainland China using the Teacher Digital Competence Self-perception Instrument, and descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistical analysis were conducted on the data. The findings indicate that teachers generally have a positive self-perception of their digital competence. However, they demonstrate weaker skills in digital teaching and learning management, while excelling in digital engagement. Significant differences in digital competence were observed based on teaching experience, educational background, and regional disparities. To address these challenges, China should offer more professional development opportunities for teachers and enhance policy support for improving digital competence. These findings and recommendations may provide useful insights for other countries and regions pursuing similar initiatives.

Keywords

evaluate
digital competence
secondary school teacher
professional development
digital transformation

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

International Journal of Changes in Education, Volume 3, Issue 1, 2026, 82-89

https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024880

Publication date: 09 Feb 2026

Article Views: 11

Article Downloads: 4

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Funding

This research was funded by the Shanghai Education Science Research General Project (NO. C2024270) and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission’s “Key Research Base for ‘cultivating virtue and nurturing people’ in Humanities and Social Sciences (Life Sciences)” Project (2024 1-1-11).

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How to cite this article

APA

Jiang, L., & Yu, N. (2026). Evaluating Digital Competence: An Examination of Secondary School Teachers in China. International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(1), 82-89. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024880

Vancouver

Jiang L, Yu N. Evaluating Digital Competence: An Examination of Secondary School Teachers in China. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2026;3(1):82-9. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024880

AMA

Jiang L, Yu N. Evaluating Digital Competence: An Examination of Secondary School Teachers in China. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2026;3(1), 82-89. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024880

Chicago

Jiang, Lei, and Na Yu. "Evaluating Digital Competence: An Examination of Secondary School Teachers in China". International Journal of Changes in Education 2026 3 no. 1 (2026): 82-89. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024880

Harvard

Jiang, L., and Yu, N. (2026). Evaluating Digital Competence: An Examination of Secondary School Teachers in China. International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(1), pp. 82-89. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024880

MLA

Jiang, Lei et al. "Evaluating Digital Competence: An Examination of Secondary School Teachers in China". International Journal of Changes in Education, vol. 3, no. 1, 2026, pp. 82-89. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024880