Digital Literacy and Its Impact on Critical Thinking and Writing Skills: A Qualitative Study in A High School Context
English
Keywords:
Digital Literacy, Critical Thinking, Writing Skills, English Language Learning, Technology IntegrationAbstract
Digital literacy has become a crucial competency in the 21st century, particularly in enhancing students’ writing skills. Writing requires not only mastery of grammar, vocabulary, and coherence but also creativity and critical thinking, all of which can be supported by digital tools. This study examined the impact of digital literacy on students’ writing skills at SMA Kusuma Bangsa Palembang using a qualitative case study design. Data were collected through document analysis, classroom observations, and semi-structured interviews with 16 students and two teachers. The findings revealed that digital platforms such as Google Scholar, ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Google Translate helped students generate and organize ideas, enrich vocabulary, and improve grammatical accuracy. tudents reported that these tools made the writing process easier and more effective, particularly in developing arguments, ensuring coherence, and enhancing word choice. Moreover, digital resources encouraged creativity and confidence, allowing students to express ideas through diverse formats such as blogs, short articles, and online publications, while classroom observations confirmed that digital tools were actively used during prewriting, drafting, and revising stages to produce clearer and more structured texts. However, a gap remained between digitally assisted writing and unaided exam performance, indicating the need for balanced reliance. The study concludes that digital literacy significantly enhances writing development by improving technical accuracy, coherence, and self-expression, while also highlighting the importance of fostering independent writing competence alongside digital supportReferences
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