Digital device ownership, digital literacy and information technology learning self-efficacy of Junior High School students

Abstract

The study investigated digital ownership, digital literacy and information technology learning self-efficacy of junior high school students. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Through the use of simple random sampling procedure, 70 JHS 3 pupils in the Ayifua St. Mary’s Anglican Basic School were selected for the study. The questionnaire was used to gather the data for the study. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, multiple regression analysis and independent samples t-test. The study found that, the level of information technology learning self-efficacy among students was to a moderately high extent. Also, students did not have/own most of the digital devices. With the exception of flash drives, which was the only digital device most of the students indicated that they had/owned. Again, to a moderately high extent, the students were competent with digital literacy skills and the relationship between digital ownership, digital literacy skills and information technology learning self-efficacy among students was moderate but positive. The study recommended that the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service should make ICT facilities and tools available to the various basic schools so that students can familiarize themselves with their use. Again, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service should provide in-service training and frequent workshops for teachers on how to use modern technology to: upload students’ grades/results; capture statistic images of in-class activities or resources; and record their teacher’s lesson or in-class activities (audio, visual, or both) for students to learn and perform assignments.