Digital Proficiency among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence

Nehir Yasan Ak; Rukiye Altın

doi:10.18009/jcer.1740998

TR EN

Digital Proficiency among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence

Abstract

This study investigates undergraduate students’ holistic digital proficiency by examining their digital competence, digital informal learning, socio-emotional e-competence, and internet use patterns. Data were collected from 363 undergraduate students in Türkiye. Three instruments—Digital Competence Scale, Digital Informal Learning Scale, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence Questionnaire—were adapted into Turkish and validated through confirmatory factor analysis and reliability testing. The adapted scales demonstrated strong construct validity and internal consistency. Descriptive results showed that students reported moderate to high levels of digital competence and were highly engaged in cognitive, metacognitive, and social-motivational informal learning. Internet use data showed an average of daily usage, with more time spent on social media than academic tasks. While students exhibited strong emotional e-conscience and regulation, they showed lower levels of impulsiveness control and emotional independence. The findings highlight the significance of informal learning and socio-emotional skills in developing digital proficiency and offer insights for targeted educational interventions.

Keywords

Digital competence, digital informal learning, socio-emotional e-competencies, scale adaptation

Digital Proficiency among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence

Abstract

This study investigates undergraduate students’ holistic digital proficiency by examining their digital competence, digital informal learning, socio-emotional e-competence, and internet use patterns. Data were collected from 363 undergraduate students in Türkiye. Three instruments—Digital Competence Scale, Digital Informal Learning Scale, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence Questionnaire—were adapted into Turkish and validated through confirmatory factor analysis and reliability testing. The adapted scales demonstrated strong construct validity and internal consistency. Descriptive results showed that students reported moderate to high levels of digital competence and were highly engaged in cognitive, metacognitive, and social-motivational informal learning. Internet use data showed an average of daily usage, with more time spent on social media than academic tasks. While students exhibited strong emotional e-conscience and regulation, they showed lower levels of impulsiveness control and emotional independence. The findings highlight the significance of informal learning and socio-emotional skills in developing digital proficiency and offer insights for targeted educational interventions.

Keywords

Digital competence, digital informal learning, socio-emotional e-competencies, scale adaptation

Ethical Statement

Ethical Committee Permission Information Name of the board that carries out ethical assessment: Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee The date and number of the ethical assessment decision: 01/02/2023- E-88012460-050.01.04/ 237904

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cross-Cultural Scale Adaptation, Instructional Technologies, Educational Technology and Computing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nehir Yasan Ak ^*
0000-0003-4801-2740
Türkiye

Rukiye Altın
0000-0001-7593-2775
Germany

Publication Date

March 12, 2026

Submission Date

July 12, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1740998

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA59PW97UD

APA

Yasan Ak, N., & Altın, R. (2026). Digital Proficiency among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence. Journal of Computer and Education Research, 14. https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1740998

AMA

1.Yasan Ak N, Altın R. Digital Proficiency among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence. JCER. 2026;14. doi:10.18009/jcer.1740998

Chicago

Yasan Ak, Nehir, and Rukiye Altın. 2026. “Digital Proficiency Among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional E-Competence”. Journal of Computer and Education Research 14 (March). https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1740998.

EndNote

Yasan Ak N, Altın R (March 1, 2026) Digital Proficiency among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence. Journal of Computer and Education Research 14

IEEE

[1]N. Yasan Ak and R. Altın, “Digital Proficiency among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence”, JCER, vol. 14, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.18009/jcer.1740998.

ISNAD

Yasan Ak, Nehir - Altın, Rukiye. “Digital Proficiency Among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional E-Competence”. Journal of Computer and Education Research 14 (March 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.18009/jcer.1740998.

JAMA

1.Yasan Ak N, Altın R. Digital Proficiency among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence. JCER. 2026;14. doi:10.18009/jcer.1740998.

MLA

Yasan Ak, Nehir, and Rukiye Altın. “Digital Proficiency Among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional E-Competence”. Journal of Computer and Education Research, vol. 14, Mar. 2026, doi:10.18009/jcer.1740998.

Vancouver

1.Nehir Yasan Ak, Rukiye Altın. Digital Proficiency among Undergraduate Students: A Scale Adaptation and Level Analysis of Digital Competence, Digital Informal Learning, and Socio-Emotional e-Competence. JCER. 2026 Mar. 1;14. doi:10.18009/jcer.1740998