Remote Learning During The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Preliminary Study of Digital Literacy Competencies Amongst Students in Higher Education

Higher education institutions use a blended learning approach that combines face-to-face and online learning to improve students' learning. There was a rapid shift to remote learning due to the suspension of face-to-face learning activities due to the spread of COVID-19 in Malaysia. As a result, students must be digitally literate to improve their remote learning sessions. On the other hand, some students are less aware of the importance of digital literacy. Thus, a preliminary study was conducted to determine undergraduate students' digital literacy competencies. A survey was completed by 66 students enrolled in two academic courses. An online questionnaire was distributed during the 2020/2021 academic session. According to the findings, the majority of students live in rural areas and participate in remote learning sessions using mobile hotspot connections in addition to fibre broadband. The students demonstrated adequate digital literacy competencies throughout the remote learning sessions based on preliminary findings. Students are encouraged to upskill to improve their knowledge of the most recent digital technologies, allowing them to use the most recent digital technologies in their learning and future workplace.