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5СЕКЦИЯ - МЕЖДИСЦИПЛИНАРНЫЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ SECTION - INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
UDK 371.3
Erkenkizi Dinara
master's degree, KIMEP University Kazakhstan, Almaty
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNET ACCESS, DIGITAL SKILLS, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF RURAL STUDENTS: A STUDY OF GPA, SAT, AND EDUCATIONAL ASPIRATIONS
Abstract: This article analyzes the importance of the internet and digital technologies in the educational process. It examines the disparities in internet access between urban and rural students and its impact on academic performance. The study investigates digital skills as a factor of success and their correlation with Grade Point Average (GPA) and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores. Examples are provided to illustrate the relationship between educational aspirations and access to the internet and digital skills.
Keywords: Internet access, digital skills, academic performance, rural students, Grade Point Average (GPA), Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), educational aspirations, technology in education.
INTRODUCTION
Having access to the internet has become essential in daily life, including in the field of education. Educational organizations globally harness digital technologies and online resources for instructional purposes. Students who have excellent digital skills can utilize a variety of sources of knowledge, self-learning tools, and assistance from teachers. Nevertheless, not all students, especially those residing in rural regions, have equal access to this procedure. The lack of digital literacy and the digital divide in rural areas greatly hinder the academic success and future career prospects of students.
The problem of uneven internet availability in rural regions has many layers, impacting education and socio-economic factors. In 2023, the Federal Communications Commission stated that around 22% of rural households in the USA are still without high-speed internet, which hinders educational opportunities for ISSN 3034-2627 39 https://coldscience.ru
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students in those areas [1]. This study shows that urban students can gain advantages from fast internet and various digital resources, while rural students may encounter obstacles like slow connections, unreliable access, or no service at all. This article aims to examine how internet access and digital skills impact the academic performance of rural students, resulting in disparities in educational opportunities and affecting Grade Point Average (GPA) and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores.
MAIN PART
The internet plays a crucial role in education, transforming traditional learning approaches and opening new opportunities for students and educators. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of internet users in the USA in 2023 is 318,66 million people (fig. 1).
315 310 305 300 295 290
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Figure 1. Number of internet users in the USA, million The internet allows students to acquire knowledge from diverse sources worldwide, owing to the vast amount of information it provides. Websites like Coursera and Khan Academy, as well as online libraries and educational platforms, provide chances to learn various subjects without being restricted by location or time. Another important role of the internet is to facilitate collaboration and communication throughout the educational journey. Digital platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams enable virtual classes, seminars, and discussions to be conducted online [2]. Analytics and AI algorithms can be utilized to generate individualized learning plans that cater to the distinct requirements of every student. This method helps students understand material more effectively and get better outcomes by letting them study at their own speed and concentrate on particular areas that need more work. Moreover, the internet ISSN 3034-2627 40 https://coldscience.ru
provides more chances for ongoing education and self-guided learning. In a fast-evolving job market, it is crucial to have adaptability and a readiness to gain new abilities.
INTERNET ACCESS AND ITS IMPACT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
In the era of globalization and digitalization, the internet plays a vital role in influencing the quality and availability of education. Internet access is closely connected to important educational success indicators like GPA and standardized SAT scores, which are determined by grades and exam results. A study conducted in Michigan demonstrates that students' academic performance can be greatly influenced by internet access. This is especially important for rural students, who frequently encounter restricted internet availability (fig. 2).
Figure 2. Relationship between internet access and student academic performance This study found a strong link between SAT scores and access to the internet. Students who do not have internet access typically score 0.04 points lower (p < 0,01) and 0,65 percentile points lower on the SAT (p < 0,05). Students who have slow internet at home tend to have an average score on the SAT that is 0,04 points lower (p < 0,01) and a ranking that is 0,71 percentile points lower (p < 0,01). Students who have fast internet at home tend to have a GPA of 3,18, much higher than those without access (2,81) or only mobile access (2,75). Not having fast home internet greatly affects GPA and grades in certain subjects, but not in math and science [3].
Instances from literature support the idea that there is a notable correlation between academic performance and internet usage. An examination released in the «Journal of educational computing research» assessed how internet availability affected the academic success of students from different regions in the USA. Having
internet access at home was discovered to boost exam pass rates by 12-15% and elevate the average GPA by 0,3-0,5 points [4].
Having access to the internet plays a crucial role in determining a student's academic performance. Using the internet to access educational materials, online courses, and resources for exam preparation can enhance students' performance in metrics like GPA and SAT. This highlights the importance of guaranteeing equal internet access for all students in order to give them equal chances for academic achievement.
DIGITAL SKILLS AS A FACTOR OF SUCCESS
Access to the internet allows students to take advantage of a variety of educational resources, online classes, and tools that can greatly improve their skills and knowledge. Nevertheless, having only internet access is not enough without the essential digital skills that allow students to efficiently make use of these tools.
Digital skills refer to a collection of competencies and understanding needed for utilizing digital technologies efficiently. Skills such as computer operation, internet navigation, information search and analysis, digital content creation and editing, as well as interaction and communication in digital environments are all part of the mix. These abilities are growing in significance in today's society, where technology plays a key role in various areas of life and work [5].
The quality and depth of students' knowledge is directly affected by their ability to efficiently locate, sift through, and examine information from different sources. Having digital skills enables students to use online courses, virtual classrooms, and educational tools with confidence, which in turn improves their academic performance. Hence, a clear correlation exists between academic performance, internet access, and digital skills (fig. 3).
Figure 3. The relationship between internet access, digital skills, and academic
performance
The arrows demonstrate how internet access helps to develop digital skills, leading to improved academic performance, which then encourages more use of the internet and digital technologies.
Research from the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society shows that a student with digital skills slightly below average performs 7 percentile points lower on the overall SAT score, 5 percentile points lower in math, and 8 percentile points lower in reading and writing, as per real data. Moreover, high school students who possess advanced digital skills achieve a GPA that is 15% higher than their peers with limited digital skills [6].
Accessing the internet and acquiring digital skills are crucial elements that impact students' academic success. However, in order to maximize effectiveness, both of these elements must be combined. In a quickly changing digital environment, the use of the internet and digital technologies is crucial for education and preparing for future professional endeavors. The arrows illustrate how access to the internet fosters the development of digital skills, which in turn positively impacts academic performance, and how successful academic outcomes stimulate further use of the internet and digital technologies [7].
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EDUCATIONAL ASPIRATIONS AND THEIR CONNECTION TO INTERNET ACCESS AND DIGITAL SKILLS
The internet expands students' perspectives by providing information on different career options, schools, and courses. Students with internet access are better informed about their choices and, therefore, set higher educational aspirations for themselves. They have a stronger understanding of the requirements for their career goals and are actively pursuing admission to renowned academic institutions.
Students' educational aspirations are the goals and ambitions they have in relation to their education. These may include aspirations to enroll in a particular college, earn a specific degree or occupation, or achieve success in a scholarly area. Educational goals reflect a person's motivation for self-improvement and career advancement through acquiring knowledge.
Various factors, such as family income, parental education levels, access to school resources, and information on higher education opportunities, influence the educational goals of rural students. Rural students often lack access to information on scholarships, programs, and college admission opportunities, which restricts their aspirations.
Research from the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society suggests that 47% of students who lack home internet or only have mobile internet plan to pursue education beyond high school [8]. Students with digital skills slightly below average have a 29% decreased likelihood of intending to complete a college or university program. In contrast, students with advanced digital skills are more likely to aspire to a career in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) field. Those with slightly below-average digital skills are 19% less likely to show interest in a STEM-related profession.
CONCLUSION
The study findings highlight the important impact of internet availability and digital competencies on the academic success of students in rural areas, as shown by their GPA, SAT scores, and goals for further education. In a fast-changing digital economy, the internet is crucial for students to reach educational resources like online
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courses and exam prep platforms. Research results indicate that students who have reliable access to fast internet and well-developed digital skills tend to achieve better academic outcomes and have more ambitious educational aspirations.
Insufficient internet access and a lack of digital skills have been observed to add to the increasing educational inequality between urban and rural students. In remote regions with limited or no internet access, students encounter extra obstacles in their academic pursuits, which can hinder their performance and lower their educational goals. The study findings highlight the importance of implementing inclusive initiatives to enhance digital infrastructure in rural communities and enhance students' digital literacy. Some of these measures may involve boosting investments in internet infrastructure, offering digital literacy classes, and ensuring all students have access to up-to-date digital resources.
Taking into account the cultural and social factors that impact internet usage in education is crucial, as is conducting additional research to create optimal methods for closing the digital gap. Incorporating these strategies into rural education systems can greatly improve students' academic results and help them reach their educational aspirations, ultimately promoting equal educational opportunities nationwide.
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3. Hampton K.N., Robertson C.T., Fernandez L., Shin I., Bauer J.M. How Differences in Internet Access, Digital Skills, and Media Use Are Related to the Outcomes of Rural Students: GPA, SAT, and Educational Aspirations // Telematics and Informatics. 2023. Vol. 63. P. 101-106.
4. Bauer J.M., Hampton K.N., Fernandez L., Robertson C.T. Bridging the Homework Gap in Michigan: The Role of Broadband Internet Access for Student Success and Career Prospects. 2022. P. 105-112.
5. Bukhtueva I.A., Solovyev K.A., Mozharovsky E.A., Khatyanov S.A., Kostoreva A.S. Overview of Artificial Intelligence Solutions for Enhancing Corporate Efficiency // Economics and Management: Problems, Solutions. 2024. No. 7. Vol. 1. P. 177-185.
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7. Mozharovsky E.A. Integration of Large Language Models (LLM) in Mobile Applications // Innovative Approaches in Modern Science: Collection of Articles from the Materials of the CLIX International Scientific and Practical Conference «Innovative Approaches in Modern Science». Moscow, Publishing House «Internauka», 2024. No. 3(159).
8. Croker T., Kleitch D. Homework Gap and Academic Achievement in Science in High School: An Ecological Perspective for Policymakers and Practitioners // National Journal of Youth Protection and Resilience. 2023. Vol. 6. No. 1. P. 1-12.
