DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: EXAMPLE OF ANKARA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Digital literacy is a must-have competency in the 21st century. It is important for students studying in higher education to have digital literacy skills so that they can use digital technologies effectively both in their education and business life. It is necessary to determine the digital literacy levels of the students studying in higher education, to determine their deficiencies and to carry out studies for this. In this research, it is aimed to determine the digital literacy level of Ankara University students and to determine whether the digital literacy level differs according to various variables. For this purpose, it was examined whether students' digital literacy levels and digital literacy levels differ statistically significantly according to variables such as gender and age. According to the data obtained as a result of the research, students have moderate digital literacy. Digital literacy levels of female students are lower than male students. A statistically signficant difference was found only in the sub-dimension of general knowledge and functional skills according to the age of the students. This difference is in favor of students aged 21-25 and 26 and over. Students aged 21-25 and aged 26 and over have higher levels of digital literacy skills than students aged 20 and under. A statistically signficant difference was found between associate degree and graduate students in daily use and professional production sub-dimension according to the education levels of the students. This difference is in favor of graduate students in daily use sub-dimension. In terms of daily use, graduate students' digital literacy levels are higher than associate degree students. If the professional production sub-dimension, this difference is in favor of associate degree students. Associate degree students have a higher level of digital literacy knowledge and skills than graduate students in professional production. It was determined that the digital literacy levels of the students did not show a statistically significant difference according to whether they received digital literacy education or not. In line with the data obtained from the research, various suggestions were made to increase the digital literacy levels of the students.

Keywords: Digital Literacy, Digital Literacy Skills, Digital Competence, University Students