Digital competence among pre-service teachers: A global perspective on curriculum change as viewed by experts from 33 countries

In the intensely developing information society, the education of pre-service teachers presents an organisational, methodological, and conceptual challenge. Recent years have necessitated reflection on the content and modalities of the formation of digital competence in pre-service teachers. This article – considers which components the digital competences of the new generations of teachers should contain and how this area can be effectively developed within academic education. The article is the result of interviews conducted with 35 experts (recognized scholars in the field of media pedagogy) from North and South America, Africa, Australia and Oceania, Asia, and Europe. Qualitative interviews using the Delphi methodology were conducted between June and September 2022. Using grounded theory principles, it was noted that there is a need to modify pre-service teachers' curricula in the following areas: creating, retrieving and managing digital content; integrating ICT into subject content; developing soft skills; enhancing interactivity in the classroom; social aspects of ICT; distance learning; new socio-technical processes; advanced digital competencies; predictive learning; analysing the impact of ICT on human life; data protection; e-risks; low digital competencies; understanding media messaging; and supporting people with disabilities. •The article discusses the challenges in educating future teachers in a rapidly evolving information society.•The study analyses the digital competences of new teachers, highlighting a strategic approach to their formation.•The results come from interviews with 35 experts in media pedagogy from different regions of the world.•The study uses grounded theory to analyse the data, identifying key themes and patterns for change in education programmes.•The article offers practical tips on how to develop digital competences in education, highlighting the need for curriculum adaptation.