The Role of Online Information Searching Strategies and Digital Literacy Levels in Predicting Students' Lifelong Learning Competencies

Year 2023, Volume: 10 Issue: 4, 1 - 15, 01.07.2023

Hakan Tekedere , Hanife Göker

Abstract

Lifelong learning (LL), which emphasizes the spread of learning throughout life, is a continuous process that aims to develop or change the competencies that individuals have or want to have throughout their lives. This study focused to investigate the extent to which online information-searching strategies (OISS) and digital literacy (DL) can predict LL competencies. The sample consists of 1658 high school students. The convenience sampling approach was used to select the sample. The dataset was collected using the “Key Competencies Scale in Lifelong Learning”, “Online Information Searching Strategies Inventory”, and “Digital Literacy Scale”. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that DL levels and OISS significantly predicted LL competencies. In predicting LL competencies, it was concluded that the best predictor was DL levels. DL independent variable explained 27.7% of the total variance. Also, it was determined that DL levels and OISS explained 34.2% of the total variance of LL competencies and that independent variables affected the dependent variable at a large level (R2 = .342 > .26). In line with the findings of the research, suggestions were made to determine and increase DL levels and OISS to increase their LL competencies.

Keywords

: lifelong learning, online information searching, information searching strategies, digital literacy, regression analysis

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