Digital Literacy Research Articles

Smart Cities, Digital Inequalities, and the Challenge of Inclusion

While cities on a global scale embrace smartness as a roadmap for efficient urban governance, disparities persist in the domain of digital accessibility, literacy, and skills, with manifestations of digital exclusion, ageism, and ableism prevalent in most digital urban experiences. Despite their commitment to bridging the digital divide, governments lack comprehensive frameworks to inform policymaking and action for inclusion in smart cities. This review paper aims to deepen the understanding of the multifaceted challenges confronting the governance of inclusion in smart cities. Drawing from a review of research encompassing digital inclusion, digital transitions, smart cities, and urban governance, we discuss who is included and excluded in the governance of smart cities; what are the necessary conditions to be met for smart cities to be considered inclusive; and how can smart city governance deliver public value and equal benefits for all. As a novel contribution, this paper outlines a reflective framework to inform citizen inclusion in the governance of smart cities. This framework is meant to act as a starting point in the design of inclusive digital urban policies, and can also be employed to assess the directions taken to date in public organizations towards more inclusive urban practices.

Elevating citizen engagement in the process of territorial development through digitisation

The purpose of the study is to examine the digitisation of the state system involving local executive bodies to identify effective strategies for engaging citizens in territorial development decision-making. The following methods were applied in the study: hermeneutic, statistical, structural-functional, and comparative methods. During the study, the main problems associated with the implementation of digital technologies in the territorial development system involving the country's citizens were examined, such as technological barriers, issues of confidentiality and data security, and uneven distribution of resources. This allowed formulating recommendations for problem resolution, namely, ensuring access to education, developing digital literacy among the population, devising effective measures to protect data, and guaranteeing the confidentiality of personal information. The paper also explores the prospects and threats to the economies of regions in the process of transitioning to a digital economy. Special attention is given to studying the indicators of the current state of digitisation in Kazakhstan, considering data from annual international ratings. The obtained research results can be used in the development and implementation of digital technologies in the territory management system at the international-regional level for the benefit of citizens.

Learning Object Repository Systems and Their Use in Greek Education

The article explores how modern information and communication technologies (ICT) enhance educational quality, emphasizing the importance of pedagogically sound applications to address the limitations of traditional educational systems. While ICT offers considerable benefits, such as increased engagement and support for collaborative learning, the integration of these technologies in education presents challenges, including disparities in access and shifts in learning methodologies. The concept of Open Educational Resources (OER) is highlighted as a transformative approach, allowing for the creation and sharing of diverse learning materials, which are crucial for promoting accessibility and equity in education. Additionally, the article discusses organizational development issues that schools face when implementing ICT, such as the need for adaptive school cultures, leadership support, and the alignment of school policies with ICT goals. It also presents examples of digital repositories and open educational resources, like Project Gutenberg, ERIC, and MIT OpenCourseWare, which provide free access to educational materials. In Greece, national projects have introduced digital literacy into the school community, with repositories such as Photodentro LOR and Helios, supporting the country's commitment to digital education aligned with the European Digital Agenda.

Enhancing Public Service Delivery through Digital Transformation: A Study on the Role of E-Government in Modern Public Administration

Digital transformation has become a crucial element in improving the quality of public service delivery, particularly through the implementation of e-government. This study aims to analyze the role of e-government in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of modern public administration. Using a qualitative research method through literature analysis and in-depth interviews with government employees across several public service agencies in Indonesia, this study explores the benefits and challenges faced in the implementation of e-government. The findings indicate that e-government significantly contributes to expediting public service processes, increasing transparency, and minimizing potential corruption and abuse of power. Furthermore, e-government enables more effective interagency collaboration through integrated information systems, positively impacting operational efficiency. However, the study also identifies obstacles to the adoption of e-government, such as limited digital infrastructure, resistance from government officials, and the digital divide in society, which can reduce its effectiveness. This study concludes that e-government can serve as a strategic instrument for public administration reform if supported by infrastructure improvements, human resource training, and increased public digital literacy. Consequently, e-government not only enhances the quality of public services but also strengthens accountability and public trust in the government. The study’s recommendations include strategies to improve information technology capacity, formulate policies that support digital transformation, and raise awareness and public participation in utilizing digital government services.

Impact of Digital Villages on Agricultural Green Growth Based on Empirical Analysis of Chinese Provincial Data

The construction of digital villages has progressed in tandem with the transformation of traditional production methods, offering new perspectives for agricultural green growth and sustainable development. This study employs the entropy value method alongside the super-efficient global SBM (Slacks-Based Measure) mixed function model, which assesses efficiency by accounting for both inputs and outputs, thereby facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of agricultural green growth. This methodology facilitates the examination of the correlation between digital villages and agricultural green growth, as well as the influence of digital villages on this growth. Furthermore, the utilization of financial resources is employed as a mediating variable to elucidate the mechanism of action. The utilization of green finance and agricultural insurance can be facilitated by the establishment of digital villages, and that has been shown to promote agricultural green growth. Additionally, the promotion of agricultural green growth by digital village construction is stronger in middle-altitude regions, non-grain-producing regions, and regions where the digital literacy of the rural labor force is higher than average, as well as areas where the use of agricultural film is higher than average. Accelerating the construction of digital villages and promoting the utilization of rural financial resources while adapting the digital village development to local conditions are crucial for effectively fostering agricultural green growth and sustainable agricultural development.

MODAHA KAMBUNGU: PENINGKATAN KESADARAN MASYARAKAT DESA BUNUYO TERHADAP PENYEBARAN HOAX SEBAGAI TINDAK PIDANA MENJELANG PILKADA SERENTAK 2024

The negative impact of the spread of hoaxes in the face of general elections, including the regional head elections in Pohuwato Regency in 2024, is important to guard against the spread of false news so that horizontal conflicts do not occur between communities while creating a healthy democratic climate. Therefore, a series of service activities were carried out in solving the problem by setting a location in Bunuyo Village as one of the villages that will hold Pilkada in Pohuwato Regency. The community service activities were carried out in the form of zone mapping on the vulnerability of hoax distribution, legal counseling on the forms and dangers of hoax distribution, and Digital Literacy training as well as the formation of community groups that anticipate the spread of hoaxes. The final result of the implementation of this service is the knowledge of the potential of village areas that are vulnerable to the spread of hoaxes. thus, counseling efforts and digital literacy training are carried out, leading to the existence of community groups formed with the task of anticipating and counteracting hoax problems ahead of the Pilkada in order to create a conducive area and safe Pilkada.

The Padlet Media Design Based on Bima Local Literature to Improve Student Writing Skills

This research aims to improve students' writing skills through the use of Padlet media which is integrated with local wisdom of Bima regional literature. The background of this research is based on the low writing ability of students caused by monotonous traditional learning methods and the lack of use of interactive media. This research uses the Research and Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) development model. Local literature, such as folklore and poetry, is integrated into Padlet's platform as teaching materials to provide relevant cultural context for students. The participants in this study are 30 students of the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program at STKIP Harapan Bima. The results of the study showed a significant improvement in students' writing skills after the use of Padlet based on local wisdom. The average writing score of students increased by 25%, especially in the aspects of cohesion, coherence, and idea development. In addition, students also reported increased motivation and active involvement in writing learning through Padlet's collaborative features, such as writing sharing and feedback. However, there are several technical obstacles faced, such as limited internet access and lack of digital literacy among students. The results of this study have implications that the integration of digital technology and local wisdom can be an innovative strategy in improving students' writing skills, as well as fostering their cultural awareness.

Social Media Linked to Early Adolescent Suicidal Thoughts via Cyberbullying and Internalizing Symptoms

AbstractEarly adolescents are increasingly engaged in visually rich social media platforms, which may lead to the involvement in visual cybervictimization, i.e., the unsolicited sharing of personal visuals, resulting in negative mental-health outcomes. The present study examined the association between social media use and suicidal ideation among early adolescents, with a focus on the mediating roles of visual cybervictimization and internalizing symptoms. The sample consisted of 1140 middle-school students from Northwestern Italy with a mean age of 12.35 years (SD = 0.97), 53.3% female, 45.1% male, and1.6% non-binary. We explored a serial mediation model, hypothesizing that increased social media engagement might lead to heightened suicidal ideation through elevated experiences of visual cybervictimization and subsequent rise in internalizing symptoms. Results indicated significant associations exist between increased social media use and both direct involvement in and bystander experiences of visual cybervictimization. Participating in visual cyberbullying events, both as victim and bystander, was significantly associated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms, in turn linked to greater suicidal ideation. These findings emphasize the critical need for digital literacy and interventions targeting visual aspects of cyberbullying to mitigate its detrimental effects on youth mental health.

Pengaruh Digital Financial Literacy Terhadap Perilaku Keuangan Masyarakat Kota Gresik

Financial literacy can be generally defined as a person's ability to understand, analyze, manage and communicate personal finances. Technological advances can have an impact on people's financial behavior. So financial literacy in this era of sophisticated digital technology and virtualization is very important for society, so digital financial literacy needs to be understood by the public. Digital financial literacy (DFL) is financial literacy in the form of digital financial technology. Demographic factors also influence financial behavior in society. Demographic factors can have an influence because the older you get, the more experience you have, including your financial intelligence, which also increases. This research used a sample of 125 respondents and obtained data from the results of a questionnaire distributed using the Likert scale assessment method. The analysis method uses structuralEquation Modeling Partial Least Square (SEM PLS) analysis. The results of this research conclude that Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) has been proven to have a good and significant effect on the financial behavior of the people of Gresik City. And educational demographics are proven to have a good and significant effect in moderating the influence of DFL on financial behavior.

Penggunaan Aplikasi Pegadaian Digital Service (PDS) Terhadap Transaksi Nasabah Pada PT. Pegadaian (PERSERO) UPC Ngrambe

The Pegadaian Digital Service (PDS) application, launched by PT. Pegadaian in 2018, aims to facilitate customer transactions. Despite its potential, most customers at PT. Pegadaian UPC Ngrambe, who are predominantly elderly, do not understand or are uninterested in using the application. This study explores the impact of the PDS application on customer transactions and the level of assistance it provides. Using a quantitative research method and a questionnaire-based survey, 100 respondents were randomly selected. Data analysis conducted with SPSS version 29 revealed significant findings: the significance value (Sig.) of 0.006 is below 0.05, indicating a meaningful impact of application use on customer transactions. The t-test result (t count = 2.975 > 2.228) confirmed that application usage significantly influences customer transactions (X on Y). However, the effect size is relatively modest, contributing only 24% to the improvement of customer transactions, suggesting that other factors also play a role. This limited influence could be attributed to well-functioning traditional transactions and customers' limited digital literacy. The study recommends enhancing socialization efforts and providing targeted training, particularly for elderly users, to increase their understanding and usage of the PDS application, thereby maximizing its benefits for customer transactions.

Strategy for Improving Business Performance in Micro and Small Enterprises through Innovation and Digitalization

This study aims to examine strategies for enhancing business performance in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) through the integration of innovation and digitalization. In an era where digital transformation has become critical for competitiveness, MSEs face unique challenges due to limited resources, constrained access to technology, and often limited technical expertise. Using a qualitative approach through library research and literature review, this study synthesizes current research on the role of innovation and digital adoption in boosting productivity, expanding market reach, and improving operational efficiencies in MSEs. Findings reveal that innovation and digitalization not only facilitate access to broader customer bases but also enable cost-effective marketing and streamlined operations. Additionally, the analysis indicates that overcoming barriers such as technology adoption costs and skill gaps is essential for successful digital transformation in MSEs. Supportive policies, digital literacy training, and partnerships with technology providers emerge as critical components to foster a conducive environment for these enterprises. The study contributes to the ongoing discourse by identifying key success factors for MSEs embarking on digital and innovative transformations. Furthermore, it provides recommendations for policy makers, business owners, and stakeholders to enhance MSE resilience and competitiveness in a digitalized economy. This research underscores the importance of aligning digital strategies with business goals to ensure sustainable growth and adaptation in a rapidly evolving market landscape.

Advancing autonomy in Tunisian higher education: Exploring the role of technology in empowering learners

This study explores technology-based learner autonomy in Tunisian higher education, focusing on the Raqqada English department. It examines student engagement with technology-driven learning and the challenges faced by educators, highlighting a gap between students' theoretical readiness for self-directed learning and their actual use of digital tools. Utilising a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were collected from 102 English students via questionnaires, and qualitative data from interviews with 25 educators. Findings reveal that while 80% of students engage in autonomous learning outside the classroom, in-class technology usage is significantly lower, indicating a disconnect with existing infrastructure. Furthermore, 76% of students acknowledge technology's role in supporting diverse learning styles, and 67% link smart classrooms to increased motivation. However, challenges such as limited digital literacy, inadequate training, and poor infrastructure hinder effective technology integration. Educators expressed concerns about rigid teaching methods and insufficient autonomy at earlier educational levels, suggesting that autonomy is better developed at the master's level. The study concludes that enhancing infrastructure, training, and digital resource availability is crucial for advancing learner autonomy. Recommendations include fostering intercultural collaboration through programs like Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and implementing varied assessment methods to evaluate learner autonomy better. Additionally, professional development programs for educators and students are necessary to promote autonomy and active learning strategies.

Determinants of the effectiveness of education and training in Indonesian migrant workers

This study explores the effectiveness of education and training programs for Indonesian migrant workers, who often seek employment abroad due to limited opportunities and low wages in their home country. The increasing numbers of migrant workers, combined with their significant economic contributions, highlight the need for effective training to enhance their self-reliance and reduce the likelihood of returning to overseas work. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research identifies key determinants of program success, including financial literacy, self-management, motivation, and social support. The findings reveal that while macro-level policies are still insufficient, effective mapping and guidance at the micro level show promising results. Successful training programs positively impact the workers' independence, with those who acquire essential skills more likely to pursue entrepreneurship upon returning to Indonesia, rather than seeking further employment abroad. The study underscores the importance of incorporating financial and digital literacy, along with entrepreneurship training, into the curriculum to foster long-term economic independence for Indonesian migrant workers.

Cultural and Behavioral Insights into European Social Media Users: Platform Preferences and Personality Types

The study examines European social media personalities based on age, gender, platform preference, and country of origin. The research sample, which consists of respondents from 19 European countries (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the UK) reflects the general population ratio and predominantly includes middle-aged individuals ensuring representative findings. Almost two-thirds of respondents engage with social media daily, highlighting its pervasive role in European life. Analysis of platform preferences reveals that Facebook and Instagram are the most popular, while TikTok and Snapchat are less favored, particularly among older demographics. The study shows that gender differences are significant, with females favoring Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, while males prefer LinkedIn and Twitter. This delineation underscores the varying social media consumption habits between genders. The study identifies three primary social media personalities: Lurkers, who passively consume content; Ultras, who exhibit obsessive usage; and Deniers, who balance regular use without dependency. Additional personalities include Ranters, Informers, and Peacocks, each representing unique motivations and engagement styles. This diversity in user behaviors highlights the multifaceted nature of social media engagement in Europe. A country-specific analysis reveals cultural and regional differences in social media use, with distinct preferences and behaviors emerging across Europe. For instance, Germans exhibit unique tendencies with a notable presence among Approval Seekers, Changelings, and Ghosts. Such variations underscore the importance of considering cultural contexts in social media strategies. The findings offer valuable insights for stakeholders, including marketers, policymakers, and platform developers. By understanding these diverse usage patterns, more effective campaigns can be designed, privacy and digital literacy issues can be addressed, and user experiences can be enhanced. This study underscores the integral role of social media in European life and provides a foundation for future research and strategy development.

Verbal feedback for written assessment: evaluating a novel feedback communication strategy

Background/Aims Feedback plays a pivotal role in learning, but traditional written feedback often lack engagement and specificity, hindering learners' ability to effectively apply feedback. In midwifery education, the need for innovative feedback delivery mechanisms is pronounced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the integration of digital health technologies in feedback delivery in a midwifery programme. Methods A novel communication strategy was implemented in a midwifery programme in northwest England, where the benefits, challenges and future implications of leveraging digital health technologies for assessment feedback were assessed. Results Preferences were mixed, with 45.1% of learners favouring written feedback. Verbal feedback was perceived as more personal and motivating, and valued for its nuance, tone and ability to clarify complex points, although written feedback provided clearer, detailed information for future reference. Less experienced markers struggled with verbal feedback, while more experienced markers appreciated the quicker, more refreshing process. All markers found feedback templates helpful for ensuring equitable feedback. Conclusions This study scrutinised the significance of rethinking feedback delivery in midwifery education and indicates that digital health technologies present promising opportunities for reshaping the feedback landscape. Implications for practice Developing student confidence and competence in digital literacy remains a significant challenge. Higher education institutions can collaborate with healthcare providers to offer training in digital health technologies, helping midwives adapt to modern clinical environments.

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN MALAYSIA: ENHANCING DIGITAL LITERACY FOR INCLUSIVE STUDENTS IN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT In Malaysia, integrating digital technology into education has become increasingly prevalent. However, there remains a significant gap in addressing the digital literacy needs of inclusive students, who often face additional challenges in accessing and utilizing digital resources effectively. This paper explores the concept of digital literacy specifically tailored to meet the diverse needs of inclusive students in Malaysia. Despite the growing emphasis on digital literacy in education, inclusive students in Malaysia continue to encounter barriers that hinder their ability to develop essential digital skills. These barriers may include inadequate access to technology, limited training and support, and a lack of educational resources designed to accommodate diverse learning needs. Consequently, many inclusive students are at risk of being left behind in an increasingly digitalized society. This conceptual paper draws on a comprehensive review of existing literature related to digital literacy, inclusive education, and educational technology. The method used is observing and analyzing already existing information about digital literacy for inclusive students. The researcher utilized databases such as Scopus, WoS, and Google Scholar and conducted brief interviews with six teachers. There is a clear need for tailored approaches considering individual learning styles, disabilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, teacher training and professional development programs must be enhanced to ensure educators are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to support inclusive students in developing digital literacy. In conclusion, this paper underscores the importance of prioritizing digital literacy for inclusive students in Malaysia. Keywords: Digital literacy, Digital skills, Digital divide, Inclusive students, Inclusive education.

Digital literacy, relative poverty, and common prosperity for rural households

Digital transformation has emerged as a crucial driver of economic development, yet its impact on rural China's socioeconomic landscape remains understudied. This research investigates how digital literacy influences common prosperity and relative poverty in rural China using comprehensive household-level data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Through robust econometric analysis, including multiple regression models and structural equation modeling, we examine both the direct effects of digital literacy on household economic outcomes and its indirect effects through the mediating channel of relative poverty. Our findings demonstrate that a one standard deviation increase in digital literacy scores corresponds to a 12.3 % reduction in relative poverty and a 15.7 % increase in household income, with these effects amplified in China's western regions and among unmarried individuals. The results are robust to various model specifications and controls for potential endogeneity. By establishing the causal pathways between digital skills and economic well-being, this study provides empirical evidence for policymakers to design targeted interventions that leverage digital literacy as a tool for reducing rural-urban disparities. Our findings contribute to the growing literature on digital inclusion and suggest that investing in digital skills training could be a cost-effective strategy for promoting inclusive growth in rural China.

Leveraging digital skills to reduce cognitive strain: Implications for academic self-efficacy in medical education

BackgroundDigital literacy influences academic behaviors, especially in medical education, where students encounter considerable academic challenges. However, the effects of this phenomenon on academic self-efficacy and cognitive load remain inadequately understood. ObjectivesThis research explores the relationships between digital literacy and academic self-efficacy, emphasizing the mediating role of cognitive load and its various dimensions among medical students in Islamabad, Pakistan. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from seven medical colleges in Islamabad, Pakistan, from October to December 2023. The research employed meticulously validated measurement tools encompassing a digital literacy scale, academic self-efficacy scale, and cognitive load scale and collected data on 633 medical students. Descriptive statistics and inferential testing (mediation analysis) were performed to investigate the direct and indirect relationships of the study variables. ResultsThe empirical results revealed that digital literacy significantly enhances academic self-efficacy both directly and indirectly. First, the total cognitive load score showed partial mediation (β = 0.165, p < 0.001). Then, individual subscale analysis revealed that intrinsic cognitive load (β = 0.147, p < 0.001) and extraneous cognitive load (β = 0.144, p < 0.001) were significant mediators. However, the mediation effect through self-perceived learning (β = 0.105, p = 0.361) was not supported, suggesting variability in how students perceive their learning gains or other influencing factors influencing this relationship, which warrants further investigation. ConclusionThe research finding underscores the crucial integration of digital literacy instruction into medical curriculums to bolster students' academic self-efficacy by adeptly managing cognitive load. While digital literacy notably reduces intrinsic and extraneous cognitive loads, its impact on perceived learning appears context-dependent and requires further exploration. Additional studies are needed to understand these relationships across educational settings and identify other potential influencing factors.

The model of contextual education of digital literacy to students on the example of philological disciplines

Introduction. Today, there is an acute problem of training a new type of specialist, successfully developing in the digital space, striving to improve in the field of modern digital technologies. Digital literacy is moving into the category of an independent type of literacy and is becoming an integral part of the professional competence of a future specialist. The aim of the study is to develop and present a model of contextual education of digital literacy to students on the example of disciplines of philological cycle. Materials and methods of research. The research is based on the provisions of normative documents on education, on the methodological principles of the leading approaches to the role of the environment and activity in personal development (competence-based, systemic, activity-based, personal), on the analysis of scientific judgments about the essence of digital literacy and digital technologies in philology. The theoretical study takes into account the methodology of context-oriented education, within which the formation of the most relevant digital skills of students of the philological profile of training (basic and professional), which are part of digital literacy, takes place. The results of the study. The areas of future professional activity of philological students are highlighted, including work with digital text, programming, communication in a digital environment, production of media content and the field of applied philology (editorial and expert). Skills in these areas form the basis of digital literacy. In search of effective ways to teach digital literacy, the authors turn to a contextual approach. The proposed model of contextual education includes targeted, theoretical and methodological, content-methodical, activity-based and effective components. The content component of this model is defined as a composition of educational activities with integrated quasi-professional and educational-professional digital literacy skills. As a result, the process of transformation of educational activity into professional activity is supposed to be tracked by the advanced level of digital literacy achieved by students. Conclusion. The results of the study will improve the learning process of philology students using information and communication technologies, and achieve a high level of development of their digital literacy. The materials can be useful in assessing the levels of formation of this type of literacy.

Social Security, Digital Literacy, and Relative Poverty in China

In the context of China's rapid economic development and digitalization, relative poverty persists as a pressing concern despite significant strides in poverty alleviation. While the role of social security in poverty reduction has been extensively studied, the potential moderating effect of digital literacy remains largely overlooked, particularly regarding individuals' ability to access and utilize social benefits effectively. To address this gap, we examine the interplay between social security, digital literacy, and relative poverty using data from the China Family Panel Studies 2020. Employing logistic regression models with interaction terms and addressing potential endogeneity, we find that social security coverage significantly reduces the likelihood of relative poverty. Crucially, digital literacy positively moderates this relationship, amplifying the poverty-reducing effect of social security for individuals with higher digital skills. This effect is particularly pronounced for low-income households and varies across regions. These findings highlight the need for integrated policy approaches that combine social protection with digital skill development to effectively combat relative poverty in the digital age, contributing to our understanding of poverty dynamics in digitalized societies and informing more targeted poverty reduction strategies.