Status of Digital Literacy among Elementary and Secondary Students in Punjab

Abstract

In this era, use of technology becomes more important than ever in daily life, therefore, the significance of digital literacy has been enhanced. It is now an essential skill to survive in the 21 st century. This study is about the digital literacy skill of elementary and secondary school students. The study was delimited to basic computer skills. The sample of students comprised of 200 students out of which 99 students were female and 101 were male students. To find the status of basic computer skills, students of elementary, and secondary school students (from science and Arts stream) were purposely selected. The data was collected through an online digital literacy tool where focus was to measure basic computer skills. There were 38 items in the tool and 30 minutes were given to the students to solve it. The score was also generated online. It was found that students were having less basic computer skills which may lead to weak digital literacy skills. Most of the students even do not know the basics of computers. One of the reasons of low or poor basic computers skills was the unavailability of computers and laptops in students' homes. It is recommended to make computers compulsory for secondary classes too so that student can handle the computer gadgets and can equip themselves with digital literacy skills.