The Research Competence, Critical Thinking Skills and Digital Literacy of Indonesian EFL Students

Abstract

This project aims to investigate the relationship between English as Foreign Language (EFL) students’ research skills, critical thinking skills, and engagement with technology or their digital literacy. EFL students' research competence is expected to support their academic performance on writing papers and assignments. It also demands the development of their critical thinking skills. Their engagement in technology involves the use of social media, online networks, and the use of several applications. This study takes the sample of EFL students from two institutions, namely UIN Malang and IAIN Kediri, Indonesia, to see whether there is a similar performance in both Islamic higher education institutions in terms of students’ online research competence, critical thinking skills, and similar trend on the engagement with technology. The data collection method covers questionnaire and quiz. This result demonstrates a significant correlation between research competence and digital literacy. Concerning the insignificant relation between digital literacy and critical thinking, it proves that the digital literacy does not always automatically support the enhancement of critical thinking skills. Understanding the relationship between online research competence, critical thinking, and digital literacy is a crucial step in developing Indonesian EFL teaching syllabi and material supporting students' academic success in higher education context.

Educational supply chain sustainability

“…DL is considered necessary for the government to make decisions regarding the sustainability of all of its supply chains (Kim, 2019; Stanley et al ., 2022), allocating budgets for educational activities and services (Indah et al ., 2022; Montiel and Gomez-Zermeño, 2022), generating investment opportunities for stakeholders in investing in cutting-edge digital technologies (Tran et al ., 2020) and allowing international-acknowledged frameworks such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to assist institutions in developing educational strategies (Montiel and Gomez-Zermeño, 2022), and, later, expanding educational policies to include digitalization into all educational processes (Indah et al ., 2022). Moreover, government investments, initiatives, infrastructure and efficient manpower for DL implementations could bridge the digital divide between privileged and underprivileged societies while also strengthening the capability for technological planning and skill building (Indah et al ., 2022; Radovanović et al ., 2020; Samsuddin et al ., 2021; Tran et al ., 2020). Expenses for replication and high customization of educational activities and operations can be minimized, and education can reach a much larger number of people while contributing to digital transformation (Radovanović et al ., 2020).…”

An Investigation Into Efl Undergraduate Students’ Research Competence Development at University of Foreign Languages and International Studies, Hue University, Vietnam

“…The results illustrate that research competencies in medical graduates were in need of development, especially in the areas of study design, implementation, and interpretation. Indah et al (2022) conducted a study about research competence of Indonesian EFL learners and showed typical competence in using internet resources for the student's research projects and being able to decide which data or sources or materials to address the research questions.…”

Writing-reading accomplishments onto underlying gaps and bonds as prone to communication skills follow-up

“…It thereafter lies in active participation in improving the teacher's overall shortcomings or amiss performance regarding the teacher's classroom direction in skills-based accomplishments. Subsequently, this research can be advantageously grounded on covering learning in language domains with digital methodologies to boost classroom execution (Indah et al, 2022).…”