Mapping digital confidence in initial teacher education: A Rasch-based self-audit tool for curriculum improvement

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an initial teacher education (ITE) programme within a higher education setting in preparing Primary school preservice teachers (PSTs) to integrate information, communication, digital, and robotics technologies (ICDRTs) into classroom teaching. While situated in an ITE programme, the methodology, based on a Rasch-calibrated self-audit, offers an actionable approach to evaluating students’ digital confidence and learning needs across higher education disciplines. Using a Rasch-validated 77-item self-audit instrument, responses from 490 final-year PSTs were analysed to identify curriculum gaps and assess the programme’s capacity to develop digital pedagogical readiness. Regression analysis examined associations between readiness and socio-demographic variables (sex, age group, and qualification) to explore equity-related differences. The findings revealed consistent shortfalls in ICDRT readiness related to spreadsheets, robotics, and commonly used classroom technologies, aligning with broader concerns about digital capability in initial teacher preparation. These results offer actionable evidence for curriculum redesign and institutional evaluation within higher education and demonstrate the value of structured student self-audits as institutional evaluation tools. The study contributes to equity-focused, data-driven approaches to programme improvement in higher education.