Student empowerment in the digital age. A narrative review
Keywords:
information literacy, digital learning, digital communication, student empowerment, virtual mobilityAbstract
Introduction: Student empowerment has been considered a transcendental quality that connotes the autonomy, creativity, and proactivity of students. However, it has not been sufficiently studied in the digital age, which demands new codes of student performance, coupled with new ways of managing knowledge. The objective was to systematize relevant factors and characteristics of student empowerment in the digital age. Materials and methods: The QR (Questions & Reproducibility) Method was used to rigorously and transparently systematize the scientific literature, from two components: (a) the formulation of key questions based on systematization criteria and (b) reproducibility, which involves describing the complete search strategy. Results: The results reveal that learning in the digital age is mainly characterized by being collaborative, self-regulated, based on problem-solving, strategic, active, and with a strong socio-emotional component. Digital communication, digital competence, information literacy, and virtual mobility are essential pillars for boosting student empowerment in the digital age, by facilitating critical and autonomous participation in virtual environments. Discussion: These elements enable students to interact effectively, access and manage information ethically, navigate between diverse educational platforms and contexts, and develop key skills for lifelong learning and digital citizenship. Conclusions: Finally, it is argued that digital learning implies an ethical and social commitment based on autonomy, accessibility, equity, and reflection on values, promoting inclusion, the cultural appropriation of knowledge, and transformative education focused on social justice and diversity.
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