Attitudes toward digital technology, communication, innovation skills and STEM career interest: a model test for secondary school students

Abstract

This study examines the mediating role of attitudes toward digital technology in the relationship between communication and innovation skills and STEM career interest among Turkish secondary school students. The study used criterion sampling on a sample of 321 Turkish secondary school students [Age(ranj) = 10-16, Age(Mean) =12.11, Age(Sd) = 1.19] selected. Data were collected using the Communication Skills Scale, Attitude Toward Digital Technology Scale, Innovation Skills Scale, and STEM Career Interest Scale. The data were analyzed using two-stage structural equation modeling. In addition, bootstrapping analysis tested the mediation effect's significance. As a result of this study, it was determined that the mediating effect of the attitude towards digital technology was significant in the relationship between communication skills and STEM career interest. In addition, the mediation effect of the attitude towards digital technology was found to be significant in the relationship between innovation skills and STEM career interest. Finally, the STEM career interest model was obtained for secondary school students from the study results.