Digital competences of students of library studies: Comparison of research results for 2018–2020

Abstract

This study focuses on the analysis of changes in the digital competence profile of students of Information and Library Studies at Masaryk University in Czechia. As a research tool, we used the DigComp self-assessment questionnaire that students were asked to fill in after completing the course. Our research shows that students are insufficiently prepared for work as highly qualified information specialists. At the same time, we found that their competence profile remained very stable between 2018 and 2020. This finding indicates that students do not readily respond to new societal changes at the level of individual competences. The research results are based on data collected from 152 students during three runs of a compulsory course at the university. Information Science and Library Science students have long perceived their competences to be strongest in the domains of information and data literacy and communication and collaboration. Programming is the weakest competency among the competences, followed by solving technical problems and engaging in active citizenship through digital technologies. These findings can be used to innovate the curriculum to meet the demands of digitally competent information workers.