Exploring Digital Competencies and Online Learning Readiness among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The education sector in India has faced tremendous changes ever since the digital revolution took place. The most prevalent educational system underwent a paradigm shift from traditional to technology driven teaching. e-learning platforms were launched and they became popular over time. e-learning connects the eminent academicians and learners from different parts of the world. Various institutes around the globe were utilising e-learning to educate and train their students and employees. The present study was conducted using exploratory research design. Data was collected by using structured schedule from 150 students using simple random sampling procedure. The statistical tools used for analysis and interpretation of the data were frequency and percentage, class interval, T-test and correlation. The profile characteristics of students indicated that more than two thirds (72.66%) of the respondents were female, belonged to 20 to 25 years of age group (52.66%), equal number of respondents from UG 2nd year and UG 3rd year (75%). Sixty per cent of the students belonged to rural background. More than two-fifths of the student’s parental occupation was agriculture (41.33%). Most of the students (94.00%) had knowledge on usage of learning apps followed by usage of digital devices (91%), submission of online assignment (86.66%). Majority (98.66%) of the students possessed smartphone. Most of the students (82%) frequently used smartphone. More than two thirds (70%) of students were using mobile hotspots for internet connection. Majority (97.33%) of the students had competences of how to join in the meeting followed by mute and unmute the audio (96.66%), remain chatting an reply in chat box (96.00%). More than two-fifths (43.33%) of the students were satisfied with quality of teaching. Fifty per cent of the students had medium level of e-readiness (50.66%). There was no significant differences between the e-readiness and area of the students. There was a positive relationship between the digital literacy, competencies of online learning and possession of electronic devices with e-readiness of the students.