FACTORS INFLUENCING DIGITAL COMPETENCE OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY IN THAI NGUYEN PROVINCE

Abstract

In the context of rapid digital transformation, digital competence has been recognized as one of the core skills that need to be developed for high school students. Building upon previous studies, this research developed a survey instrument and collected data from 512 students and 102 teachers across 13 high schools in Thai Nguyen province to assess the impact of various factors on students' digital competence. The findings indicate that students' digital competence is significantly influenced by factors such as teachers’ digital skills, participation in Information and Communication Technology-related courses, frequency of technology use, and students’ own awareness. In contrast, variables such as gender, age, and parents’ educational background show limited and inconsistent effects across different domains of digital competence. Based on these results, the study proposes several key solutions to enhance digital competence among high school students in Thai Nguyen, including: strengthening digital skills training for teachers; expanding students’ access to Information and Communication Technology learning opportunities; investing in technological infrastructure; and fostering a safe, positive digital learning environment.