From Teachers’ Perspective: Can an Online Digital Competence Certification System Be Successfully Implemented in Schools?

Abstract

This study aims to assess the implementation effectiveness of the online platform for digital competence (DC) certification in schools. The testing platform was a prototype of a DC certification system developed and piloted during 2019 in primary and secondary schools in six European countries involving more than 800 teachers and 6000 students. The study resulted in positive proof that the effective integration and evaluation of the DC acquisition, evaluation, and certification within formal curricula in primary and secondary schools is possible. In addition, it was confirmed that information quality is a significant predictor of the impact on the platform end-users. In contrast, the quality of service is not a significant predictor of a successful implementation of the cloud-based platform with an intuitive user interface and proper online help, i.e., massive open online courses (MOOCs). Furthermore, the developed instrument can help schools implement and assess platforms for DC certification and help policymakers pursue and monitor the implementation of such platforms in schools.