Does emotional intelligence mediate the relationship between soft skills and innovative educators' competencies in the digital era? An explanatory-predictive survey
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.1970-2221/22605Keywords:
emotional intelligence, soft skills, innovative educator competence, pre-service teachers, digital educationAbstract
This study examines the direct and indirect effects of soft skills Communicative Collaboration Competence (CCC), Creative Problem Solving (CPS), Critical Digital Competence (CDC), and Ethical Professionalism & Flexibility (EPF) on Innovative Educator Competence (IEC), with Emotional Intelligence (EQ) as the mediating variable. The research used a quantitative approach with an explanatory-predictive survey design. Data were collected from 130 Professional Teacher Education Program students through validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The results showed that CCC, CPS, CDC, and EPF significantly influence IEC, either directly or through EQ mediation. However, emotional intelligence did not significantly mediate the relationship between creative problem solving and innovative educator competence, nor between critical digital competence and innovative educator competence. EQ significantly mediates the relationship between CCC and EPF against IEC. These findings show the importance of emotional intelligence and soft skills in developing innovative teachers. Teacher education programs should enhance collaboration, self-awareness, and digital competencies to meet 21st century demands.
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