IPA (Importance-Performance Analysis) on the digital competency of childcare teacher

This study aimed to explore the contents for the education and training to enhance the digital competencies of childcare teachers through Importance Performance Analysis (IPA), which compares the importance of digital competencies perceived by childcare teachers with their own evaluation of their competencies, i.e., the level of performance. As a result of analyzing the survey data of 397 childcare teachers, it was confirmed that the respondents perceived their own competencies (performance) as relatively low compared to the importance of digital competencies. In addition, it was found that in order to foster the digital competencies of childcare teachers, it is an urgent task to include in education and training the production of digital content for teaching and learning of young children, the creation of a digital environment suitable for young children, the management of SNS information, and the collection and analysis of digital data. Tasks that require gradual improvement include a positive attitude toward the production of digital content, the utilization and reconstruction of digital content, the evaluation of virtual/augmented reality content suitable for young children, the use of online communication platforms, the ethical awareness of digital works and communication, the understanding of changes in the digital society, and efforts to foster digital competencies. Finally, it was suggested that the current status and needs of digital competencies of childcare teachers should be specifically reflected when organizing and operating digital education and training programs for the teachers.