Awareness and Priority Analysis of AI⋅Digital Competencies of Pre-service Special Education Teachers

The purpose of this study was to derive priorities by investigating the awareness of AI⋅digital competencies for pre-service special education teachers and analyzing the importance and performance of each AI⋅digital sub-competence. To achieve the purpose of the study, a survey was conducted on 95 pre-service special education teachers using the AI⋅digital competence system of pre-service and in-service teachers developed through the AIEDAP project. IPA analysis was performed for data analysis, Borich needs analysis was calculated, and LF model analysis was performed. Results were as follows; First, the AI⋅digital competencies of pre-service special education teachers were shown to be at the beginner or intermediate level, and the competencies in the areas of teaching performance were somewhat low. Second, as a result of the LF model analysis, there were 8 required competencies in the highest priority group that were located in the HH quadrant and showed high Borich needs. Third, high-priority competencies mainly corresponded to education practice areas, especially, the areas of education-context analysis and teaching performance. The implications of the research results were discussed focusing on the diagnosis of the AI⋅digital competencies of pre-service special education teachers, the necessity of programs to enhance AI⋅digital competencies, and considerations when constructing programs. The limitations of the study and suggestions for future research were discussed.