Analysis of Educational Needs of Early Childhood Pre-service Teachers on Digital Competency: Focus on Borich Need Assessment and the Locus for Focus Model

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate early childhood pre-service teachers’ educational needs for digital competency. Methods We developed questions for digital competency survey according to the purpose of this study. Educational needs were analyzed based on paired-sample test, Borich need assessment, and the Locus for Focus Model. Results The results of this study can be summarized as follows. First, “Digital Thinking Ability” and “Digital Educational Environment Operation” were found to be important considered areas among digital competency of early childhood pre-service teachers. Second, as a result of analyzing the top and second priority for each area, “Digital Citizenship”, “Digital Data Utilization”, “Digital Educational Environment Operation” and “Digital Utilization Communication” was the top priority with needs. Conclusions This study provides basic data for the digital competency support plan for early childhood pre-service teachers and educational direction in the teacher training process.