Functioning of Students’ Computer (Hardware) Skills. Pilot Studies Conducted in the Field of Preschool and Early School Education at the University of Rzeszów

Abstract

This article addresses the issue of computer-related competencies among female students of preschool and early childhood education. The theoretical section highlights their importance as a basic level of digital literacy and a prerequisite for the effective use of technology in education. Five key areas of these competencies are then identified, including operating system management, efficient use of hardware, use of office software, data organization, and the use of multimedia tools. The following section presents the methodological assumptions of the study, which aimed to examine how students assess their competencies in these areas. The study was conducted using a survey in which participants prioritized individual competencies. The results allowed for deter-mining which areas are perceived as most important in preparing for future careers. Additionally, a statistical analysis was conducted using the Student’s t-test for independent samples (with Welch’s correction) to determine whether the respondents’ professional status (employed vs. unemployed) differentiated their level of computer literacy. The results showed no significant statistical differences in all analyzed indicators (p > 0.05), which indicates their high level of uniformity in the study group.