Research on internet technologies' potential to improve digital competence in education

The object of the present research is the digital competence of learners and trainers, and the subject is Internet technologies, which can help to increase it. The main research objective is to present the possibilities offered by some of the most popular Internet technologies for increasing the digital competence of two categories of persons: learners (pupils and students) and trainers (teachers and university professors), who are basic units and main biotic components of the education system. To achieve this goal, we assigned ourselves the subsequent tasks: 1. Identification of the essence of digital competence and its study in the context of the educational system. 2. Highlighting the areas of digital competences and defining the knowledge and skills that are mastered in them. 3. Presentation of the possibilities of the leading Internet technologies applied in education, to increase the digital competences of trainers and learners. 4. Analyzing the potential of Internet technologies in the education of persons with special educational needs. 5. Study of the current state of digital competence of learners and trainers from the Republic of Bulgaria. 6. Study of the level of use of Internet technologies in the Bulgarian educational system. 7. Highlighting the challenges and trends in the application of Internet technologies in education and analyzing them using SWOT and PESTEL analyses. The main method of study used in the practical part of the monograph is a questionnaire on the level of digital competence and use of internet technologies in the education in Bulgaria, conducted through two independent survey cards provided in two categories of respondents: learners (pupils and students) and trainers (teachers and university professors). The main thesis we defend is that Internet technologies provide powerful and diverse tools for increasing digital competence in education, developing the learning process, facilitating access to information and educational resources, but also promoting interactivity, collaboration and innovation in the learning environment. Furthermore, they provide the opportunity to personalize learning, which can benefit both learners with different learning styles and different abilities, as well as those with special educational needs. Internet technologies are enriching educational practices by creating dynamic and engaging learning environments, which are essential for preparing future workforces for work in the digital age.