An Evaluation of the Digital Competence of Primary School Students

The effective use of digital competency enables a system of lifelong learning, inherent in the education of 21st century pupils. Therefore, the highest level of digital competency should be sought that is also ethical. The Spanish education system includes in its curriculum the competencies that are considered key at the European level for training autonomous citizens, recognizing the transversal nature of digital competency and its application in multiple fields. This study aims to evaluate the level of digital competency of primary school students in the city of Avila (Spain). For this purpose, a non-experimental quantitative methodological approach has been taken, using descriptive statistical techniques. The sample consisted of 325 pupils in the sixth year of primary education, from public and private-subsidised schools in Avila (Spain). A problem-solving test was used to collect the data. The results show that the level of digital competency of the pupils in our sample is higher than expected, that the gender variable does not have a significant influence in digital competency, and that private-subsidised schools have a lower level of digital competency than public schools. The conclusion is that effective educational policies are needed that do not underestimate students' digital competency, that are able to promote media literacy and that enable students not only to be in front of a screen, but to do so effectively.