The role of digital informal learning in the relationship between students' digital competence and academic engagement during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

During the COVID‐19 crisis, digital informal learning is important for students' academic engagement. Although scholars have highlighted the importance of students' digital competence in improving digital informal learning (DIL), the mediating role of DIL between digital competence and academic engagement has remained ambiguous. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between students' digital competence and their academic engagement with the mediating role of DIL in the higher education context. This study used a descriptive correlational design, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The study sample included 308 students from Shiraz University, Iran. The results showed that digital competence positively and significantly correlated with students' DIL and their academic engagement. Furthermore, DIL, as the mediator variable, was found to mediate the relationship between students' digital competence and their academic engagement. Since higher education institutions have a key role in improving students' academic engagement, particularly in the COVID‐19 pandemic, academic administrators should pay more attention to students' digital competencies and provide them with efficient and user‐friendly DIL platforms that can increase their academic engagement.

Digital Competence in Higher Education: Students’ Perception and Personal Factors

“…Digital competence is not only the basis for the use of digital technologies, but can also link to various required literacy for students. Students with higher digital competence can have better academic engagement and study enthusiasm, which are major concerns among world-wide universities and higher education institutions [10][11][12]. The development of digital competence needs to be perceived as part of lifelong learning [13].…”

COVID-19 Emergency Remote Teaching Opinions and Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students: Analysis of 4 Students’ Profiles. A Case Study

“…Greater motivation and time management skills, crucial in remote learning environments, have been linked to increased academic performance [22]. Additionally, the students' digital competencies are significantly correlated with their academic engagement [23], what can cause inequalities in their performance due to a lack of these skills.…”

The Role of Digital Competence in CME Uptake: A Short Communication

“…Digital competence was broadly described by Heidari et al [ 11 ] as “the skill of using digital technologies effectively and the ability to critically analyse online information”. It has so far been studied through several frameworks; one proposed by Calvani et al [ 12 , 13 ] includes three dimensions: technical skill (comprising visual literacy, an understanding of technological concepts, and operative knowledge to solve common technological problems); cognitive skill (including high-order cognitive skills allowing the user to interpret, evaluate, and organise the data); and ethical knowledge (concerning the ability of the user to interact with others via digital media and the effects of those interactions on their sense of online responsibility and citizenship) [ 11 ].…”

“…Another study of Iran-based university students during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 11 ] found that digital competence was positively correlated not only with academic engagement but also with informal digital learning, described as self-controlled, self-directed learning that is not usually classroom-based or directed through formal educational institutions. The importance of digital competence to allow uptake of digital technologies in nursing education was further described by Meum et al [ 27 ] in a qualitative study, which highlighted the benefits of using digital educational platforms.…”