FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE FORMATION OF DIGITAL COMPETENCIES AND RESEARCH SKILLS AMONG STUDENTS

Abstract

Digital competence is becoming a prerequisite for successful professional socialization of graduates. Access to information resources and ICTs is uneven. Using the example of universities, it is shown what exactly prevents the formation of digital and technological competencies of students. One of the main barriers to the introduction of digital literacy in education is the gap between the objectives of educational institutions and real approaches to teaching. It is noticeable when technologies are applied formally or without reference to educational goals. The readiness of students for life and professional activity in the digital environment is analyzed. The object of research is the level of digital thinking formation. The subject of the research is the interrelation of digital competencies and research skills of students. Methodological grounds of the research: theoretical and practical, statistical, field, descriptive and correlational. Research sample: 120 university students. Questionnaires on digital literacy and inquiry activity have been validated and revalidated. Hypothetico-deductive method was used as a methodological ground of the study. The hypotheses were verified by means of Spearman's correlation coefficient. The correlation of digital literacy with research activity is most significant (Rho = 0.856; p = 0.000) — the higher the digital literacy of students, the higher their research activity.