ICT Skills – Study concerning students from seventh to ninth grade in Viana do Castelo district

Abstract

The present study presents the results of an investigation within the scope of educational assessment. The main objective of this study is to assess the digital competencies of students from the 7th to 9th school years in the district of Viana do Castelo. Data were collected through a questionnaire, validated, composed by the dimensions Information and Informal Literacy, Communication and Collaboration, Creation of Digital Content, Security and Problem Solving. The sample consists of 861 respondents. After analysing the results, we consider it relevant to reflect on the trends that contribute to the importance of ICT in the young population. Similarly, it is possible to state that the students in our sample have a reasonable amount of general knowledge, skills and aptitudes regarding digital competences. However, when it comes to surfing the Internet, browsing and filtering information, as well as storing and retrieving information, adding and reformulating files, solving everyday life problems with technology, working with technological innovations and solving digital gaps, most students showed little mastery of these topics. Contrary to being in the same grade or not, it is the gender that shows a significant amount of statistically significant results, regarding digital knowledge, skills and competencies. It can be seen that most students do not ask their family members for help with school tasks, which leads to the conclusion that the acquisition of digital skills is not achieved within the household.