IMPROVING DIGITAL SKILLS IN EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE AMONG

CRIMINOLOGY STUDENT AT DAVAO CENTRAL COLLEGE

A Research Paper Presented to the Faculty

Of the Criminology Department
DAVAO CENTRAL COLLEGE TORIL, DAVA CITY, INC.
Juan Dela Cruz ST, Toril, Davao City.

________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject

Criminological Research 1

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LAGUTOM, KEIN AIYAN J.

Background of The Study

Criminology students at Davao Central College often face difficulties in effectively

using educational software such as Microsoft Office, Canva, PowerPoint, and other
digital tools that are essential for academic requirements, research, and presentations.
These limitations in digital skills may hinder their learning process, reduce the quality of
their academic outputs, and affect their preparedness for professional tasks in the
future. Thus, the problem is how to enhance the digital skills of criminology students in
using educational software to improve their academic performance and equip them for
their future careers.

Digital skills refer to your ability to use key tools and technologies to complete your
work. They can range from basic abilities, like how to use a computer, to more advanced
abilities, like how to sort and analyze data. The digital skills you need to know will depend
on the kind of work you do. (How to Improve Your Digital Skills, 2023) Digital skills are
also a critical component of lifelong learning, given the ever-increasing reliance on
technology in most industries. (McKinnon, 2023). Digital skills involve both technical
abilities and cognitive skills related to finding, organizing, assessing, and creating digital
information and resources. They allow for new ways of working and collaborating using
digital tools. Digital skills are important for students, teachers, and businesses. Students
need digital skills to safely navigate social media, while teachers need them to
incorporate new media into lessons. (cy, 2025)

According to the study conducted in Europe explaining the factors of digital skills,
despite being born and brought up in a digital era and surrounded by digital devices,
children and young people may lack the necessary knowledge and digital skills
essential for leveraging ICTs effectively and preparing for a life in a digital society. This
challenge is closely linked to the concept of the digital divide, which highlights
disparities in access to and effective use of digital technologies based on socio-
economic and demographic factors. (Symeonaki et al., 2025)

In the Philippines according to the PIDS paper underscored the limited digital
literacy skills among Filipinos. Only around 40 percent have at least one of the six
information and communications technology (ICT) skills monitored for the Sustainable
Development Goals. Digital literacy appears to be lowest among the young (10-14 years
old) and the elderly (65 and above). In ASEAN, the Philippines lags in nearly all ICT
skills endorsed by the International Telecommunication Union. (PIDS, 2021) The issue
of poor digital literacy among students continues to pose a significant challenge,
particularly in today’s technology-driven educational settings. Many students face
difficulties in navigating, assessing, and utilizing digital information effectively, which
negatively impacts their academic progress and future career prospects. Key
contributors to this problem include limited access to technology, insufficient early
digital skills training, and a lack of support from educators and institutions. (Mabini &
Gallardo, 2024)
 In the local setting of Davao City, there is a growing recognition of the
significance of digital literacy skills in the education landscape. Recent studies
conducted in Davao City have shed light on the urgency of focusing on these skills
within the local context. (Rizty Ingua et al., 2023)

At Davao Central College, informal faculty feedback and classroom observations

indicate that some criminology students still struggle with basic and intermediate
functions of educational software. Common difficulties include formatting documents
according to academic standards, generating and interpreting data visualizations in
Excel, designing effective presentations, and maximizing online collaboration tools.
These skill gaps can hinder their ability to meet academic requirements efficiently and to
compete in a job market where technological competence is a fundamental expectation.

Addressing this skills gap requires more than general computer literacy
instruction; it calls for targeted, context-specific training programs that connect software
skills directly to criminology coursework and real-world applications. By implementing a
structured digital skills enhancement program and measuring its effectiveness, this
research aims to bridge the gap between current student competencies and the
technological demands of both academic work and future professional roles in law
enforcement, corrections, and forensic investigation.

Through this study, the researchers hope to provide empirical evidence to guide
curriculum development, inform faculty training, and promote institutional strategies that
ensure criminology graduates from Davao Central College possess the digital
competencies required for success in the modern criminal justice environment.
Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine how can the digital skills of criminology students at
Davao Central College in using educational software be improved to enhance their
academic performance and preparedness for professional practice.

1. What is the current level of digital skills of criminology students in using

educational software such as Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, Canva, and Google
Workspace?

2. What challenges do criminology students encounter in using educational

software for academic purposes?

3. In what ways does improving digital skills in educational software affect the
academic performance of criminology students?

4. What strategies or interventions can be proposed to enhance the digital skills

of criminology students at Davao Central College?
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