Developing a Teaching and Learning Model to Foster Digital Citizenship in General Education Undergraduate Courses

Abstract

Digital society presents a significant challenge to human life skills, particularly for Generation Z, which is pursuing higher education and work. Thus, undergraduate programs should enhance curricula and teaching-learning models to foster digital citizenship, supporting students in an ever-evolving digital world. The purpose of this research is to explore university students' digital learning skills and analyze 21st-century digital citizenship models. The study used a quantitative methodology, which included a questionnaire survey administered to 434 individuals, encompassing both current state university students and alumni. A structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the study data.  The study findings reveal that digital expression behavior consisted of two characteristics: identity and outstanding and appropriate participation. The digital citizen feature comprised three characteristics: digital manners, creative use, and digital intelligence.  Overall, digital excellence traits were at a high-level average in digital transactions (e.g., money transfers, online product buying and selling, subscription, contract agreements, etc.).  An effective 21st-century digital citizenship model comprises three key factors: outstanding and appropriate participation, digital etiquette, and creative utilization, all of which positively impact digital excellence.