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Integrating Digital Literacy and Data-Driven Thinking in College Student Leadership: Evidence from a Course-based Survey

Haiyan Wu

Guide to Education Innovation / 2026,6(2): 198-205 / 2026-06-16 16 9

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• Information:

  Wuhan University of Engineering Science, Wuhan

• Keywords:
  Student leadership; Digital literacy; Data-driven thinking; Higher education
• Abstract: This study examines the integration of digital literacy and data-driven thinking within college student leadership in a course-based instructional context. Drawing on a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 321 undergraduate students following a structured leadership training program that integrated digital and data-related competencies. The study addressed two research questions focusing on students’ self-perceptions of these competencies and their associations with student leadership. Descriptive findings revealed generally high levels of agreement across digital literacy, data-driven thinking, and leadership, with stronger performance in information evaluation, evidence-based reasoning, and task engagement. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships among all constructs, with digital literacy and data-driven thinking both showing strong associations with student leadership. The findings suggest that students’ self-perceived ability to navigate digital information and engage in data-informed reasoning is closely related to their leadership practices within collaborative learning environments. The study contributes empirical evidence regarding the co-occurrence of these competencies within a post-instructional setting and highlights the need for more integrated approaches to leadership development. Implications are discussed for curriculum design, particularly the inclusion of structured opportunities to strengthen critical evaluation, data interpretation, and decision-making in leadership training.
• DOI: 10.35534/gei.0602017 (registering DOI)
• Cite: Wu, H. Y. (2026). Integrating Digital Literacy and Data-Driven Thinking in College Student Leadership: Evidence from a Course-based Survey. Guide to Education Innovation, 6(2), 198-205.