DiKoLAN-SK – Development of a measurement instrument for academic self-concept of digitalization-related competencies in science education

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Lars Jochen Thoms - , Thurgau University of Teacher Education, University of Konstanz (Author)
  • Till Bruckermann - , Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) (Author)
  • Christoph Thyssen - , Freiburg University of Education (Author)
  • Monique Meier - , Chair of Didactics of Biology (Author)
  • Lena von Kotzebue - , University of Salzburg (Author)
  • Julia Arnold - , University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (Author)
  • Nadja Belova - , University of Bremen (Author)
  • Simon Z. Lahme - , University of Göttingen (Author)
  • Benedikt Heuckmann - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Stefanie Lenzer - , Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (Author)
  • Bernadette Schorn - , University of Bonn (Author)
  • Marie Hornberger - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Alexander Finger - , Leipzig University (Author)
  • Nicolai ter Horst - , University of Oldenburg (Author)
  • Stefanie Peter - , Augsburg University (Author)
  • Erik Kremser - , Technische Universität Darmstadt (Author)
  • Steffen Ciprina - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Johannes Huwer - , Thurgau University of Teacher Education, University of Konstanz (Author)
  • Sebastian Becker-Genschow - , University of Cologne (Author)

Abstract

Digital technologies can support knowledge acquisition and transfer, documentation of learning outcomes, and self-regulated and collaborative learning. In science education, they are used to scaffold experimentation, to collect and process measurements, and to support learning with simulations and modeling. To use digital technologies in science teaching in ways that promote learning, teachers require digitalization-related competencies and a well-developed academic self-concept regarding subject-specific digitalization-related competencies. However, existing self-report measures are typically domain-general — not aligned with science-specific frameworks such as DiKoLAN (Digital Competencies for Teaching in Science Education; German: Digitale Kompetenzen für das Lehramt in den Naturwissenschaften) — or focus on related but conceptually distinct constructs such as task- and situation-specific self-efficacy expectations. To address this gap, we define DiKoLAN-SK as a domain-specific academic self-concept regarding digitalization-related competencies for teaching science and develop and validate its corresponding measure, the DiKoLAN-SK questionnaire. The DiKoLAN-SK questionnaire enables domain-specific assessment of pre-service science teachers’ DiKoLAN-SK aligned with the DiKoLAN framework, thereby supporting diagnosis and evaluation in science teacher education. We tested comprehensibility and provided evidence of validity and reliability in a sample of N=286 pre-service teachers from Germany and Switzerland. Confirmatory factor analyses indicate that responses can reliably distinguish the DiKoLAN competency areas and competency levels as well as the four technology-related knowledge facets of the TPACK framework (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge). Known-groups comparisons (e.g., target school level, number of science subjects) provide additional validity evidence.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number100338
Number of pages32
JournalComputers and Education Open
Volume10
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 105030598864

Keywords

Keywords

  • Academic self-concept, Digital competencies, Digitalization-related competencies, DiKoLAN, Measurement instrument, Pre-service teachers, Science education, TPACK