Conceptualisation of professional digital competence for school leaders in schools with 1:1 coverage of digital devices

As societies are increasingly digitalised, digital competences are required—for citizens in general and within professions. In education, professional digital competence (PDC) for teachers has been on the research agenda for years. However, less is known about what constitutes PDC for school leaders. This paper adopts a qualitative approach to explore what constitutes school leaders' PDC. It builds on previous studies of concepts of teachers’ PDC, digital transformations in education, and school leadership, supplemented by findings from two empirical studies on school leadership in schools with 1:1 coverage of digital devices. Based on this, the paper presents an initial conceptualisation of PDC for school leaders, illustrating how digital technologies impact both administrative and pedagogical leadership. The paper has merits for the research community interested in school leadership, digitalisation, professional digital competence, education, and schools. • What constitutes school leaders' Professional Digital Competence (PDC) in schools with 1:1 coverage of digital devices was studied. • A qualitative approach was taken, including two empirical studies that address school leadership in schools with 1:1 coverage of digital devices. • Findings suggest an initial conceptualisation on PDC for school leaders. • The paper adds new insights on school leaders' PDC. • The conceptualisation initates new research instruments that measure and further develop school leaders' PDC.