Digital Literacy of Undergraduate Students at Walailak University.

Abstract

The purposes of this research are to 1) evaluate the digital literacy results of undergraduate students at Walailak University classified by programme, branch, and faculty of students; 2) analyze factors related to the results of the digital literacy test; 3) analyze the relationship of the digital literacy level and learning achievement; and 4) study the obstacles and suggestions for learning management regarding digital technology for those involved. The sample group consisted of 1,220 first-year students and used the testing scores for digital technology with the questionnaire on computer usage behaviour. The percentage, mean, chi-square value, and correlation statistics were calculated. The results show that 73.77% of the subjects passed the exam with a score of more 50%. Of those who passed the examination, according to the score range, most had low digital literacy with a score of 50% to 54% (30.92%), followed by a score of 55% to 59% (27.92%). The relationship analysis of the computer usage behaviors related to the exam results found that the related factors include the following (with a statistical significance at the level of 0.05): the student program, faculty, grade point average of the user in computer subjects, number of hours of computer usage per day, and activities performed using computers. In addition, the level of digital knowledge of the learner was related to the average grade of the learner in a positive direction (r = 0.393; with statistical significance at the 0.01 level). Suggestions for students to improve their digital literacy knowledge include supplementary training (60.78%) and online learning systems (24.43%). The main obstacle to improve digital knowledge is Internet inefficiency (76.70%) and Internet unavailability (74.78%).