Citation: Cabezas-González, M.; Casillas-Martín, S.; García-Valcárcel Muñoz-Repiso, A. Basic Education Students’ Digital Competence in the Area of Communication: The Influence of Online Communication and the Use of Social Networks. Sustainability 2021, 13, 4442. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084442
social networks, ICT, digital competence, basic education, online communication, digital communication
The global public health crisis unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that digital competence in education is no longer an option, but a necessity. Online communication with friends using social networks is an activity in which young people very frequently and at increasingly early ages engage. This article presents the results of a study analyses digital-competence levels in the area of communication of Spanish basic-education students (aged 12–16) and establishes whether online communication with friends and the use of social media impact it. A quantitative methodology with a descriptive and cross-sectional design was used. The sample comprised 807 students, and data collection was based on a problem-solving test. Findings show that students who use online communication with their friends very often and that those who use social networks a lot have lower levels of digital competence. Education centres should reflect on this in order to implement curricular programs that may strengthen this type of competence.
Marcos Cabezas-González, Sonia Casillas-Martín, Ana García-Valcárcel Muñoz-Repiso
Environmental effects of industries and plants, Renewable energy sources, Environmental sciences