Preparation of a Competence Scale for Applied University Teachers in Anhui Province, China

Abstract

As research into the concepts and models of teacher’s competence among applied university teachers continues to deepen, there is a pressing need to update existing measurement scales. This study identifies five core dimensions of teacher’s competence specific to applied university teachers and develops a new scale comprising 28 items. Data collected from 381 applied university teachers in Anhui Province, China, confirm the reliability and validity of this scale, demonstrating its practical utility for measuring teacher competence. The findings indicate that the type of university (government or private) significantly influences teachers' competence performance, highlighting the close relationship between competence development and organizational support. Additionally, this study employs k-means clustering to classify these teachers into four groups, each representing a different level of competence. These findings offer valuable insights for designing customized teacher training programs and development strategies that align with the specific competence characteristics of applied university teachers.