EXTENT OF DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS AMONG STUDENTS IN SELECTED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Acquisition of digital skills is increasingly becoming essential in this 21st century. In view of this, this study assessed the extent of digital literacy skills among selected public secondary school students in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted for this study using a structured and validated questionnaire to elicit responses from the respondents in the survey area. A total of 200 students served as the sample size for this study. A stratified sampling technique was used to select three public secondary schools in the survey area. Findings revealed a moderately high level of digital literacy skills among students in the selected public secondary schools. It also showed a moderate level of awareness and availability of common digital tools such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power Point, and Email Messaging among others; while there existed a low level of awareness and availability of advanced digital tools such as Canvas, Kahoot, and Scratch respectively. However, students in the selected public schools reported a moderate level of challenges in the acquisition of digital literacy skills, such as inadequately equipped computer laboratories, inadequate electricity supply, connectivity, and network problems among others. In conclusion, this study has shown that students in the selected public secondary schools have embraced basic digital literacy skills and tools considerably. However, there are impending challenges in accessing and using these tools. It is therefore recommended that management of public secondary schools should continually upgrade their curriculum to reflect global best practices across schools and to ensure students are properly trained to utilize digital tools as they evolve.