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ICT competencies of first-year university students
Date Issued |
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2020 |
University students need to be able to work with the information resources that they find for the purposes of their learning activity critically and have the competencies in resolving scientific issues in projects and studies independently. Also, they need to be able to use information effectively regarding its various forms. In recent years, the level of digital literacy among students has not been questioned. The students of higher education often consider themselves as competent users of information resources since they grew up in a world saturated with information and communication technologies (ICT). However, without a thorough study, it is difficult to identify the ways and means of improving the level of digital literacy of university students. The aim of the article is to assess digital literacy skills among the students at the Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania. The article presents the empirical results of the survey performed in autumn 2019 among first-year students. Data were collected through the completion of self-evaluation questionnaires and the assessment of the exam results. A possible limitation was the validity of student reflections regarding their abilities related to ICT competencies. The results show that although many first-year students had prior experience in technologies, a need to educate students on the basic ICT literacy skills needed at the university level remains. The study results are useful as curricular guidelines.