Investigation of the Factors Affecting the Secondary School Students’ Project Based Virtual Learning Qualifications by Structural Equation Modelling

Abstract

This study aims to determine the predictive effect of attitudes toward digital technologies, gender, grade level, and internet usage time on project based virtual learning qualifications (PBVLQ) of secondary school students. The research design is a predictive correlational study. The sample of the research was 703 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in a small town in the southeastern region of Anatolia in Turkey which was selected with the convenience sampling method. In order to collect data, Project Based Virtual Learning Qualifications Scale, and Digital Technology Attitude Scale were used. The data were analyzed by structural equation modeling. According to the results, it was determined that students' attitudes towards digital technology significantly predicted PBVLQ in large effect. In addition, according to other results, it was determined that gender and internet usage time directly predicted the attitude toward digital technology, and indirectly predicted project-based learning virtual qualifications through attitude towards digital technology. In line with the data obtained from the research, it can be suggested to provide learning environments that will increase the attitudes of secondary school students toward digital technology and to increase the PBVLQ.