STUDY OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO PROMOTE DIGITAL COMPETENCY OF STUDENT TEACHERS IN THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION AT PIBULSONGKRAM RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This research aimed to study the needs assessment and rank it for promoting digital competency among student teachers in the Faculty of Education at Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University. The sample consisted of 339 student teachers from the Faculty of Education at Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, selected using a multi-stage random sampling method. The research instrument was a questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale, with an index of concordance (IOC) between 0.67 and 1.00, and the reliability of the entire questionnaire, measured using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, was 0.85. Statistics used for data analysis included mean and standard deviation. Needs were assessed by using the Modified Priority Needs Index () technique, which ranks the importance of needs from highest to lowest.

The research findings revealed that:

1. The overall needs assessment for promoting digital competency among student teachers in the Faculty of Education at Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University was at a moderate level. When each aspect was considered, digital-problem-solving skills using digital tools had the highest average score within the moderate level. The overall desired state of digital competency was at a high level, with digital usage skills having the highest average score within the moderate level.

2. The raking of needs assessment for promoting digital competency among student teachers in the Faculty of Education at Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University from highest to lowest were: (1) digital use, (2) problem-solving with digital tools, (3) digital literacy, respectively.