User´s digital competences as perveived In a MOOC Course and it´s relation to the use of OER. A posible path to teach energy sustainability

Abstract

This study is part of a research project entitled: “Comparative study on the development of digital competence under MiCompu.mx program” that was financed by the Mexican fund SEP-SEB CONACYT 2013. The main purpose is to confirm whether in-service teachers’ self-perception on Digital Competence (DC) may influence the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in their classrooms. A group of n=863 in-service teachers from elementary, high education and tertiary education from various disciplines participated in a massive open online course (MOOC) training course on Digital Competences. A 26-item validated questionnaire on DC and use of OER was delivered to the participants of the MOOC course. Additionally, participant interviews and course facilitator’s weekly reports were also collected. Mixed methods research was used in this study, presenting in his article a correlational analysis of DC and OER and the results of the interviews conducted to teachers and principals. Scores in DC and OER were ordered into three levels of performance: High, intermediate and low. Main results indicate that in-service teachers that perceive themselves as digital experts can reach an intermediate level in the use of OER. The main implication out of it is that teacher training programs in DC are required to prepare teachers for the use of OER in class on a daily basis. This model will be double tested in a national wide Project funded by the Secretary of Energy in Mexico: “Binational Laboratory for the smart management of energy sustainability and technological training” (2016-2019).