Future teachers value technology for inclusion but feel underprepared

Inclusive education and digital innovation are now key pillars of modern schooling systems. Governments and universities alike emphasize the importance of equipping teachers with the skills to integrate technology in ways that accommodate students with varying abilities and needs. However, emerging evidence indicates that enthusiasm for digital inclusion may not always be matched by confidence in implementation.

The study The Self-Perception of Future Teachers’ Digital Training: Strengths and Weaknesses in Addressing Diversity, published in the journal Social Sciences, explores this disconnect. Based on the survey data from 547 pre-service teachers, the study assesses strengths and weaknesses in digital training for inclusive classrooms.

Positive attitudes, uneven confidence

Technology is increasingly viewed as a key enabler of accessibility, offering adaptive content, assistive tools, and differentiated instructional strategies. From screen readers and communication apps to interactive platforms and multimedia resources, digital tools can expand participation and engagement for learners with varied abilities.

Survey responses show that future teachers largely agree with this premise. Participants expressed strong belief in the value of digital technologies for supporting diversity and enhancing inclusion in the classroom. Many see ICT as a mechanism for personalizing instruction and fostering equal opportunities.

However, this optimism is tempered by a notable lack of confidence in their own preparation. While attitudes toward technology are generally positive, a substantial proportion of respondents report feeling insufficiently trained to implement digital tools effectively in diverse classroom settings. The findings reveal a mismatch between theoretical endorsement of ICT and practical self-efficacy.

The study employed the DPTIC-AUT-Q instrument, focusing on three key dimensions: perceptions of ICT’s role in addressing diversity, self-assessed digital training, and perceived requirements for effective ICT integration in inclusive contexts. Across these dimensions, patterns emerged that highlight both strengths and weaknesses in current teacher education programs.

Participants often acknowledged that digital competence is essential for inclusive education but indicated that their coursework had not fully equipped them with concrete strategies or hands-on practice tailored to diverse learning environments. The gap suggests that exposure to technology alone does not translate into preparedness for inclusive application.

The influence of training stage and personal experience

The research also examined whether perceptions varied according to academic stage, personal experience with disability, or degree specialization. Differences emerged between students in Early Childhood Education and those in Primary Education programs, as well as between earlier and later stages of study.

Students further along in their programs generally reported higher awareness of diversity-related challenges, but this did not always correspond to stronger confidence in digital application. In some cases, increased awareness of classroom complexity appeared to heighten recognition of training limitations.

Personal proximity to individuals with special educational needs influenced perceptions as well. Participants who reported direct experience with disability often expressed greater sensitivity to the importance of adaptive technologies. Yet even within this group, perceived competence did not always match perceived importance.

Statistical analyses conducted in the study, including reliability testing and regression modeling, confirmed the internal consistency of the measurement scales and identified relationships between demographic variables and self-perceived readiness. The results suggest that confidence in digital training is shaped by both educational exposure and lived experience.

Despite these variations, a central pattern remained consistent: the majority of respondents value ICT as a tool for inclusion but do not feel fully equipped to harness its potential. This finding underscores the need for curricular reforms that move beyond general digital literacy toward specialized, diversity-oriented digital pedagogy.

Rethinking teacher education for digital inclusion

The authors argue that teacher training programs should integrate structured modules focused specifically on using digital tools to address diverse learning needs. This includes exposure to assistive technologies, adaptive software, universal design principles, and strategies for differentiating instruction through ICT.

Moreover, experiential learning opportunities appear critical. Practical training, classroom simulations, and field placements that incorporate technology for inclusion may strengthen self-efficacy more effectively than theoretical coursework alone. Embedding digital inclusion within practicum experiences could bridge the gap between knowledge and application.

Institutional support also plays a role. Universities must ensure that pre-service teachers have access to up-to-date technological resources and guided practice. Collaboration with schools can further align teacher education with real-world demands.

The research highlights a broader systemic issue: digital transformation in education often emphasizes infrastructure and device distribution, while teacher preparedness receives comparatively less attention. Without confident and competent educators, even well-funded technological initiatives may fall short of their inclusion goals.