Computer And Information Literacy Research Articles

The impact of poverty stigma on computer and information literacy among China's rural students

Rural middle school students often experience significant educational disparities compared to their urban peers, particularly in developing computer skills and computer and information literacy (CIL). However, there has been insufficient research on the impact of poverty stigma on their CIL development. To address this literature gap, this research examines the influence of poverty stigma and self-efficacy on CIL performance among rural eighth graders in two studies. Guided by the social cognitive theory and labeling theory, Study 1 (n1 = 2783) analyzes the mediating effects of family socioeconomic status and self-efficacy on CIL, while Study 2 (n2 = 2153) investigates the mediating effects of perceived poverty stigma at the dimensions of social stigma and self-stigma on CIL. The results suggest that poverty, family socioeconomic status, and computer use at school positively affect CIL, with self-efficacy mediating the relationship between them. While students from low-resourced families do not perceive social stigma as directly impacting their CIL, self-stigma plays a mediating role between perceived social stigma and CIL. These findings have significant implications for educators seeking to improve CIL in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of increasing computer access at school for better educational outcomes.

Non-cognitive skills and social gaps in digital skills: Evidence from ICILS 2018

Using data from the 2018 round of the International Computer and Literacy Survey (ICILS), this study looks at the effect of non-cognitive skills (e.g., motivation, ambition, and conscientiousness) on digital competences as measured by the Computer and Information Literacy (CIL) test score. Non-cognitive skills may be especially important in low-stakes tests such as ICILS, where students face no consequences — positive or negative — as a result of their performance. The empirical results show that several non-self-reported measures acting as proxies for non-cognitive skills are significant determinants of CIL test scores. Furthermore, the findings point at differences in non-cognitive skills across gender, immigrant background, and socioeconomic status. This suggests that one should be cautious when inferring about inequality in digital competences along these dimensions using low-stakes test scores, and underscores the importance of controlling for non-cognitive skills.

Good in arts, good at computer? Rural students' computer skills are bolstered by arts and science literacies

Since the International Computer and Information Literacy (CIL) was introduced to assess school children's ability of using computers and other information and communications technologies (ICT) for educational purposes, considerable work has been devoted to investigating the ICT-related determinants of students' computer and information literacy. However, there is scant literature on how rural students' CIL could be affected by learning other subjects like arts or sciences. Guided by the theory of learning transfer, this study explores possible learning transfer effects of arts and science literacies on CIL and ICT skills among eighth graders (N = 2821) in China's rural areas. The findings show that arts literacy is positively associated with CIL and ICT skills, while science literacy is positively associated with basic ICT skills but negatively related to advanced ICT skills. Rural students who had a higher family socioeconomic status and better educated parents were more likely to have higher CIL, suggesting the presence of digital disparities. This study provides timely perspectives that help students to master ICT skills and improve computer literacy, including insights for revealing digital disparities among rural students in low-resource settings.

우리나라 중학생의 ICT에 대한 인식 분석

Objectives In this study, affective factors such as self-efficacy, perception, and career expectations for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which were surveyed in the ‘International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018’, were analyzed. In particular, we focused on the effects of student characteristics such as Computer and Information Literacy(CIL) level, gender, and computer/software learning experience. Furthermore, these data were used to identify the ICT-related characteristics of middle school students in South Korea by identifying the similarities and differences with other participating countries through international comparison. Methods A total of 2,875 students (1,497 male (52.1%) and 1,378 female (47.9%)) enrolled in the second year of 150 middle schools nationwide participated in the computer-based assessment. Computer and Information Literacy was measured through self-report data. The information of educational use of ICT and student characteristics (gender, age), and student attitudes and perceptions were collected and analyzed. Results The percentage of students who responded that they were able to perform well on ICT-based learning tasks was lower than the ICILS 2018 average. In particular, ‘database creation’ showed the lowest rate. Also, students' self-efficacy for general and specialized applications was lower than the ICILS 2018 average. The perceptions of the positive and negative effects of ICT on society were higher than other participating countries. In terms of expectations for ICT-related careers, male students showed higher expectations than female students, indicating a gender difference. Conclusions Implications for effective approaches for nurturing future digital talents that can maximize the effect of education by improving the quality of computer and information education and reducing the gap between learners were proposed.

ICILS 2018 컴퓨터·정보 소양 예측 변수 탐색

ICILS(International Computer Information Literacy Study) assesses secondary school students’ability to use computers and manage information. Among ICILS variables, CIL(computer and information literacy) is considered essential to those living in information society. Compared to previous research that modeled a small number of variables, this study explored hundreds of ICILS 2018 variables to predict CIL via machine learning. In particular, glmmLasso, a penalized regression method, was employed to consider the multilevel structure of ICILS in variable selection. As a result, 12 out of 398 variables were found to be important variables to predict CIL, which included computational thinking(CT), gender, ICT self-efficacy regarding the use of general applications, positive perceptions of ICT for society, home literacy index, principals’ use of ICT for general school-related activities. To our knowledge, this is one of the first empirical studies to apply glmmLasso in social science. Future research directions are discussed.

The relationship between differences in students\u2019 computer and information literacy and response times: an analysis of IEA-ICILS data

BackgroundDue to the increasing use of information and communication technology, computer-related skills are important for all students in order to participate in the digital age (Fraillon, J., Ainley, J., Schulz, W., Friedman, T. & Duckworth, D. (2019). Preparing for life in a digital world: IEA International Computer and Information Literacy Study 2018 International Report. Amsterdam: International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). Retrieved from https://www.iea.nl/sites/default/files/2019-11/ICILS%202019%20Digital%20final%2004112019.pdf). Educational systems play a key role in the mediation of these skills (Eickelmann. Second Handbook of Information Technology in Primary and Secondary Education. Cham: Springer, 2018). However, previous studies have shown differences in students’ computer and information literacy (CIL). Although various approaches have been used to explain these differences, process data, such as response times, have never been taken into consideration. Based on data from the IEA-study ICILS 2013 of the Czech Republic, Denmark and Germany, this secondary analysis examines to what extent response times can be used as an explanatory approach for differences in CIL also within different groups of students according to student background characteristics (gender, socioeconomic background and immigrant background).MethodsFirst, two processing profiles using a latent profile analysis (Oberski, D. (2016). Mixture Models: Latent Profile and Latent Class Analysis. In J. Robertson & M. Kaptein (Eds.), Modern Statistical Methods for HCI (pp. 275–287). Switzerland: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26633-6) based on response times are determined—a fast and a slow processing profile. To detect how these profiles are related to students’ CIL, also in conjunction with students’ background characteristics (socioeconomic and immigrant background), descriptive statistics are used.ResultsThe results show that in the Czech Republic and Germany, students belonging to the fast processing profile have on average significantly higher CIL than students allocated to the slow processing profile. In Denmark, there are no significant differences. Concerning the student background characteristics in the Czech Republic, there are significant negative time-on-task effects for all groups except for students with an immigrant background and students with a high parental occupational status. There are no significant differences in Denmark. For Germany, a significant negative time-on-task effect can be found among girls. However, the other examined indicators for Germany are ambiguous.ConclusionsThe results show that process data can be used to explain differences in students’ CIL: In the Czech Republic and Germany, there is a correlation between response times and CIL (significant negative time-on-task effect). Further analysis should also consider other aspects of CIL (e.g. reading literacy). What becomes clear, however, is that when interpreting and explaining differences in competence, data should also be included that relates to the completion process during testing.

Who needs teachers? Factors associated with learning ICT skills from teachers in a multilevel analysis of the ICILS data

While great responsibility is placed upon schoolteachers for educating children and adolescents in media and technology, the increasing access to technology offers opportunities for youngsters to develop information and computer technology (ICT) skills informally. Thus, they do not depend solely on the school to develop computer and information literacy (CIL). Conversely, studies confirm that in some countries students report that they have learned specific ICT skills mainly from their teachers. However, little is known about the conditions under which students rely on teachers to develop CIL skills. This study explores the characteristics of students, schools, and countries that are associated with the incidence of learning CIL from teachers. Based on previous studies, a model was developed and tested employing a three-level analysis with data from 14 participant countries of the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS). The model reveals significant associations with students’ socioeconomic conditions, students’ self-efficacy in advanced ICT tasks, students’ gender and countries’ ICT Development Index score. The schools’ characteristics do not contribute significantly to the model. Furthermore, implications for the involvement of both students and teachers regarding media education in schools are discussed.

Use of Mixed Item Response Theory in Rating Scales

This study aimed to compare the Graded Response Model (GRM) and the Mixed-Graded Response Model (MixGRM) in terms of model data-fit and parameters and demonstrate the application of MixGRM on real data. In this context, this study is basic research based on the International Computer and Information Literacy Study in 2013 conducted with eighth-grade participants from Turkey. The data from a total of 2,356 students were used in the study. In testing the models, data was obtained from an 11-item Likert scale that measured the students' interest and enjoyment in using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). When the GRM- and MixGRM-based model data-fit results were compared, the model with the best fit was the MixGRM with four latent classes. Students who reported to enjoy using ICT and who had the highest computer and information literacy (CIL) score were found to be in the first latent class, those with least enjoyment or dislike and those with the lowest CIL score were in the fourth latency class. The findings show that reducing the heterogeneity of Mixed-Item Response Theory models in the dataset is a preferable model for research situations and that Turkish students are not yet prepared for life in the digital age.

Predictors of fostering students’ computer and information literacy – analysis based on a representative sample of secondary school teachers in Germany

In Germany schools are obliged to foster students’ digital competences. Based on the proficiency levels of students’ computer and information literacy (CIL) from the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS 2013), and a theoretical approach to media education in school, this paper aims to provide evidence on the relevance of teacher- and school-related factors in the fostering of students’ CIL. On the basis of a representative sample of secondary school teachers in Germany a structural equation model (SEM) which accommodated the frequency of ICT-use in instruction as a mediator variable was computed. The results of the SEM indicate teachers’ attitudes towards the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in instruction, ICT-related collaboration, and sufficient ICT equipment at schools as significant predictors in fostering students’ CIL. Findings bear important implications for teacher education in terms of preparing teachers for this fundamental task.

Patterns of students\u2019 computer use and relations to their computer and information literacy: results of a latent class analysis and implications for teaching and learning

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that there is a complex relationship between students’ computer and information literacy (CIL) and their use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for both recreational and school use.MethodsThis study seeks to dig deeper into these complex relations by identifying different patterns of students’ school-related and recreational computer use in the 21 countries participating in the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS 2013).ResultsLatent class analysis (LCA) of the student questionnaire and performance data from the ICILS 2013 study, revealed different patterns of use of ICT; these patterns could be related to differences in students’ CIL scores. These analyses support the conclusions of previous studies, which found, in many cases, a ‘hill shape’ in the data, suggesting that both low and extended use of computers may be correlated with lower scores on the CIL scale, while intermediate use is correlated with higher scores.ConclusionsThe study identifies interesting differences between countries, and, in addition to the hill shape, both a ‘plateau shape’ and a ‘hill-valley shape’ were apparent in the data, raising important questions about differences in contexts.

School-level predictors for the use of ICT in schools and students\u2019 CIL in international comparison

The increasing relevance of information and communication technologies (ICT) and society’s transition towards an information or knowledge society have led to the emergence of new challenges for schools and school systems. Thus, the need for students to develop new forms of skills like digital literacy or computer and information literacy (CIL) is constantly gaining in importance. In the IEA’s (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement) ICILS 2013 (International Computer and Information Literacy Study), the aforementioned competencies were investigated—along with CIL learning contexts and outcomes (such as school-level factors in different education systems)—for the first time for secondary schools by applying computer-based student tests. The research presented in this paper focuses on the school-level factors that support or hinder the use of ICT by teaching staff and students’ CIL, drawing in the process on information obtained through school and teacher questionnaires. A multilevel approach was chosen for this research, drawing on representative data from four of the countries which participated in ICILS 2013, namely Australia, Germany, Norway and the Czech Republic. The results show that the relevance of school-level determinants for the use of ICT by teaching staff in schools differs between education systems. Only in Germany, for example, does pedagogical IT support seem to be crucial for the use of ICT in teaching. In the Czech Republic, the self-efficacy of teaching staff plays a key role, whereas in Australia, the participation of teaching staff in professional development activities can be identified as relevant for students’ acquisition of CIL. The results also show a statistically significant correlation between the teachers’ use of ICT in schools and students’ CIL for Germany, yet indicate no significant effects for Australia, Norway and the Czech Republic. In addition to these and the more specific findings for the considered countries, the international comparison presented in this paper reveals both strengths and developmental potential for the selected education systems.

Gender differences in computer and information literacy: An exploration of the performances of girls and boys in ICILS 2013

IEA’s International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2013 showed that in the majority of the participating countries, 14-year-old girls outperformed boys in computer and information literacy (CIL): results that seem to contrast with the common view of boys having better computer skills. This study used the ICILS data to explore whether the achievement test used in this study addressed specific dimensions of CIL and, if so, whether the performances of girls and boys on these subscales differ. We investigated the hypothesis that gender differences in performance on computer literacy items would be slightly in favour of boys, whereas gender differences in performance on information literacy items would be slightly in favour of girls. Furthermore, it was examined whether such differences varied across European countries and if item bias was present. Data was analysed using a confirmative factor analysis model, i.e. a multidimensional item response theory model, for the identification of the subscales, the explorations of gender and national differences, and possible item bias. To a large extent the results support our postulated hypothesis and shed new light on the commonly assumed disadvantaged position of girls and women in modern information society.

The relationship between students’ use of ICT for social communication and their computer and information literacy

This study investigates the relationship between students’ use of information and communication technology (ICT) for social communication and their computer and information literacy (CIL) scores. It also examines whether gender and socioeconomic background moderates this relationship. We utilized student data from IEA’s International Computer and Information Study (ICILS) to build multivariate regression models for answering the research questions, and accounted for the complex sample structure of the data by using weights for all statistical analyses, employing jackknife repeated replication for variance estimation. Students who frequently use the internet for messaging and participation in social networks (i.e., at least once a week) scored on average 44 points higher than those who use ICT for the same purpose only less than once a week or never. The direction of this effect was the same in all 21 participating educational systems, the difference ranging from 19 to 75 points (always statistically significant). We continued the analysis by testing whether the relationship is moderated by gender; as girls use more often ICT for social communication and have higher CIL scores on average. After controlling for the gender effect the CIL scores between the two examined groups decreased only by 2 points on average. Even after including students’ socio-economic background into the model, the difference in CIL between the two groups of interest declined only little—to 32 points on average across all countries. The difference remained to be statistically significant in all countries but one. The results suggest a strong relationship between students’ CIL proficiency level and the frequency of their use of electronic devices for social communication; hence, respective skills needed at schools and later on at the workplace are reflected in their use outside of school and for socializing.

The role of ICT self-efficacy for students' ICT use and their achievement in a computer and information literacy test

Students' self-efficacy in using information and communication technology (ICT) is among the most important motivational constructs that are related to their ICT acceptance, use, and literacy. The present study attempts to generate new knowledge about the role of ICT self-efficacy for students' ICT use and their computer and information literacy (CIL). Using the Norwegian data obtained from the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) in 2013 (N = 2410 students in grade level 9), we distinguish between self-efficacy in basic and advanced ICT skills and examine the relations to students' ICT use for different purposes (school-related task learning, study purposes, and recreation) and their achievement in a CIL test. The results show that: (1) self-efficacy in basic ICT skills is positively related to CIL achievement, whereas self-efficacy in advanced ICT skills shows a negative relation; (2) ICT use and ICT self-efficacy are positively correlated for some of the ICT use purposes; (3) there is an indirect effects of ICT use on CIL achievement via ICT self-efficacy; (4) this indirect effect holds for both female and male students. Our findings point to a potential mechanism that links ICT use, self-efficacy, and CIL. Implications for future research and educational practice are discussed.

Predictors of teachers’ use of ICT in school – the relevance of school characteristics, teachers’ attitudes and teacher collaboration

This paper is based on the research question of what predictors (school characteristics, teachers' attitudes, teacher collaboration and background characteristics) determine secondary school teachers' frequency of computer use in class. The use of new technologies by secondary school teachers for educational purposes is an important factor regarding school and teaching processes. The use of digital media in schools is, among other things, associated with the goal of supporting learning processes and improving the quality of education. This contribution identifies relevant factors by means of multiple regression analyses of the teachers' frequency of computer use for instruction in five countries (the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, Poland and Germany) to get an idea of how to support the frequency of the use of computers in class. The analyses and findings are based on the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) study of International Computer and Information Literacy Study 2013 (ICILS), which investigates the computer and information literacy (CIL) of secondary school students and the contexts in which students develop CIL in 21 countries. Antecedents concerning school characteristics, teachers' attitudes and teacher collaboration on the process level and background characteristics of secondary school teachers (N = 8.920) are examined in order to gain further insight into the nature and effect of predictors for secondary school teachers' in-class use of information and communications technology. The analyses show that there are more country-specific results than similarities between the countries selected. In all countries, antecedents concerning teachers' attitudes are more relevant for teachers' in-class use of computers than school characteristics or teacher collaboration on the process level.