10 Facilitators of sense of belonging through Digital Competences: a qualitative study with educational science students

This study explores how digital competences (DC) can contribute to fostering the sense of belonging in social groups. It examines the factors that shape belonging agency, trust, and social capital, while considering the potential of digital technologies to promote it and the role of DC in enhancing...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Fernández Rodrigo, Laura, Erta-Majó, Arnau, Tirocchi, Simona
Format: article
Publication Date:2024
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repository:Docta Complutense
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/107635
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/107635
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:37
37.043.2
37.015.3
37.015.31:316.42
37.035
Digital competences
Inclusive education
Sense of belonging
Social inclusion
Competencias digitales
Educación inclusiva
Sentido de pertenencia
Inclusión social
Educación
Educación social
Sociología de la educación (Educación)
58 Pedagogía
63 Sociología
Description
Summary:This study explores how digital competences (DC) can contribute to fostering the sense of belonging in social groups. It examines the factors that shape belonging agency, trust, and social capital, while considering the potential of digital technologies to promote it and the role of DC in enhancing social inclusion, also in an intersectional perspective. This research uses qualitative methods and peer-research following the last version of the DigComp model developed by European Commission. A total of 108 participants from two universities from the European context were involved. The results identified 10 facilitators of sense of belonging: common interest, learning and engagement, voice and empowering, communication, interculturality, leisure activities, shared emotions, being informed, freedom of speech, and group values and norms. The findings highlight the ways in which DC, such as content creation, problem-solving, and communication and collaboration, contribute to fostering a sense of belonging into social groups. Finally, the study points out that digital technologies can be a tool to support the facilitators of belonging rather than being the central focus. The research underscores the importance of considering actions and abilities rather than specific tools in promoting social belonging in the digital era.