Primary and secondary education pupils’ perceptions of their digital competence

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. This research aims to identify predictor variables associated with the domain level of digital competence of students in primary and secondary education from their own perception. Three variables in the scientific literature associated with this domain are selected : the personal and social subjects’ use of ICT, the integration of ICT in school practices by students (internalization), and the emotional well-being associated with digital technologies. METHOD. The study population consisted of 291,551 students enrolled in Primary and Secondary schools in the province of Seville (2013-14). Cluster sampling was performed, the sample unit were schools that have used and applied ICT for a long time. The final sample consisted of a total of 1,881 pupilss, representing the population under study, at a confidence level of 99% and a sampling error of 3%. For data collection an ad hoc questionnaire was designed and the reliability thereof is contrasted obtaining a Cronbach’s alpha of α=0.890. For data analysis a binary logistic regression was performed using SPSS v.23. RESULTS. The results confirm the goodness of fit of the proposed model (Test Ommibus=0.000, R2=0.239 and Hosmer-Lemeshow Test=0.193). The qualifying capacity model has been achieved correctly classifying 87.7% of subjects, with a specificity of 98.6%. In terms of predictive capacity, Internalization variable which gets more weight (Exp(B)=2.233), followed by Use (Exp(B)=1.627) and emotional wellbeing (Exp(B)=1.454). DISCUSSION. The findings confirm the predictive value of the variables; the use of ICT, the internalization and the subjective well-being in pupils’ the perception of their digital competence.