Original scientific paper
Research of the Digital Competences of Persons within Catholic Circles (Parishes, Prayer and Religious Communities and Associations of Christian Values)
Bruno Jelečanin
orcid.org/0000-0002-7276-5606
; University of Applied Sciences Baltazar Zaprešić, Zaprešić, Croatia
Abstract
The concept of literacy in the 21st century has been increasingly subject to research. Today, it is often defined as "a set of multiple literacies: traditional, computer/informatics, informational, digital, internet, media literacy" (Vrkić Dimić, 2014, pp. 392). The digitalized world that surrounds us greatly defines the conditions in which literacy is manifested, so we can no longer observe it through the prism of the former "traditional" definition of literacy, without taking into account the knowledge and use of digital technologies. As a basis for assessing the knowledge of this issue, we use the concept of digital competence, which "involves the safe and critical use of information technology society (IRT) at work, in leisure and communication" and is "linked to logical and critical thinking, with highly developed skills in handling information and developed communication skills" (European Reference Framework, 2004). Within Catholic circles communication and marketing professionals are in most cases not professionally trained and often lack sufficient digital competence. This paper aims to analyze the level of digital competence in the mentioned circles. The conducted research follows the work of the group of young professionals who have explored the current level of digital competence and then tried to contribute to its improvement through the organization of a conference and workshops. For the purpose of defining the current level of competence, a research was conducted through a survey on a sample of 194 respondents from 1597 parishes within the mentioned circles from all over Croatia. The results were used to form the theme of the conference and the workshops involved. At the end of the conference, a second phase of research was carried out through which, through group interviews (focus groups, deliberate sample, 10 respondents), the contribution of the conference and workshops in increasing the level of digital competencies among the circles was researched. The results were then compared to the results obtained from the survey. The analysis gave insight into the current situation and made a foundation for further activities aiming at the development of digital competences within Catholic Church circles.
Keywords
digital competencies; Catholic circles; literacy in the 21st century; digital technology
Hrčak ID:
191695
URI
Publication date:
29.12.2017.
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