Dimensions of Digital Competence in Middle School

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Development Considerations for Assessments Used in Schools

Abstract

The study focused on describing the empirically distinguishable dimensions of digital competence, based on the data of the EU Kids Online survey and the Estonian experimental digital competence test. Based on the two data sets, nine dimensions of digital competence were distinguished: digital operations, communication in the digital world, creation of digital materials, digital content programming, assessment of coping in digital environments, comparative assessment of digital competence, legal editing in the digital world, protection of oneself and others and digital attitudes. Factor models designed to distinguish dimensions are characterized by good fit indicators and moderate correlations between factors. At least three questions were found to describe each dimension, which are also suitable as a basis for compiling new questions.

Authors

• Margus Pedaste, University of Tartu

• Veronika Kalmus, University of Tartu

• Katariina Vainonen, Education and Youth Authority