For the planning and implementation of lessons with digital technologies, a subject-specific technology-related professional competence of teachers is of central importance. However, the competency frameworks developed so far remain in a general perspective and do not explicitly address subject-specific issues. Furthermore, digital competencies are predominantly measured with subject-unspecific self-assessment instruments, as subject-specific operationalizations for this area are not yet available in a differentiated form. In this article, the framework for Digital Competencies for Teaching in Science Education (DiKoLAN), a subject-specific framework for pre-service science teachers, is introduced, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, first results of a self-assessment tool based on the framework are described. DiKoLAN defines competency areas highly specific to science, as well as more general competency areas that include aspects common to all subjects. Each competency area is described by competency expectations, which, in turn, are structured with reference to the four technology-related dimensions of the TPACK framework (i.e., Technological and Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and three levels of performance (Name, Describe, Use/Apply). Derived from DiKoLAN, a corresponding self-assessment instrument (DiKoLAN-Grid) was developed and empirically tested for the two competency areas, (n = 118) and Information Search and Evaluation (n = 90), in biology student teachers. By means of path models, tendencies regarding structural correlations of the four components Special Tools (TK), Content-specific Context (TCK), Methods and Digitality (TPK), and Teaching (TPACK) are presented for both competency areas and discussed, as well as in comparison to previously conducted, subject-unspecific surveys.

Prospective teachers must acquire subject-specific digital competencies to design contemporary lessons and to promote digital competencies among students themselves. The DiKoLAN framework (Digital Competencies for Teaching in Science Education) describes basic digital competencies for the teaching profession in the natural sciences precisely for this purpose. In this article, we describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a university course based on DiKoLAN which promotes the digital competencies of science teachers. As an example, the learning module Data Processing in Science Education is presented, and its effectiveness is investigated. For this purpose, we used a questionnaire developed by the Working Group Digital Core Competencies to measure self-efficacy, which can also be used in the future to promote digital competencies among pre-service teachers. The course evaluation showed a positive increase in the students’ self-efficacy expectations. Overall, the paper thus contributes to teacher education by using the course as a best-practice example—a blueprint for designing new courses and for implementing a test instrument for a valid evaluation.

Teacher-oriented journals provide many ideas for practical use of multimedia in physics teaching and learning. However, they are often written in their respective native languages. Moreover, having 24 official languages in the European Union is a huge barrier to the exchange of teaching and learning material. Knowledge about what is discussed in neighbouring countries is rare. Hence, in this article scientific members of the MPTL group (Multimedia in Physics Teaching and Learning) present a review on multimedia applications and the corresponding concepts that are discussed in non-English language journals. 491 articles in 34 teacher-oriented journals from 10 countries are reviewed, using a list of 81 categories, to characterise addressed topics, teaching strategies, technology and multimedia features. Log-linear multiway frequency and cluster analysis were used to get more insights about preferred combinations of content and teaching strategies, differences between countries, changes between periods and patterns of articles. There is a divergence in the main topics focused on between countries and some changes within the periods 2006–2010 and 2011–2015. Such a large diversity of ideas and concepts covered throughout the EU highlights the potential benefits of more international exchange. However, findings also point to additional requirements, concerning theoretical background, ideas for implementations of modern features like augmented reality, and the use of internet-based sources and modern devices. Thus this article is also calling for more exchange and discussions concerning topics to be addressed in teacher-oriented journals.

When a stethoscope is placed on the chest over the heart, sounds coming from the heart can be directly heard. These sound vibrations can be captured through a microphone and the electrical signals from the transducer can be processed and plotted in a phonocardiogram. Students can easily use a microphone and smartphone to capture and analyse characteristic heart sounds.

The world is full of colors. Most of the colors we see around us can be created on common digital displays simply by superposing light with three different wavelengths. However, no mixture of colors can produce a fully pure color identical to a spectral color. Using a smartphone, students can investigate the main features of primary color addition and understand how colors are made on digital displays.