Integration of Digital Tools for the Strengthening of Citizenship Competencies in Secondary Education

Abstract

The strengthening of citizenship skills in the educational context represents a key challenge for the comprehensive education of students, especially in a digitalized world. This study analyzes the impact of the implementation of an interactive digital environment based on Google Sites as a pedagogical resource to improve democratic participation and the development of civic values in secondary school students.
The design of this intervention is based on the need to overcome the low student participation in school democratic processes, evidenced in the apathy and disinterest towards the election of the School Government. To this end, an ICT-mediated didactic sequence was implemented, organized in three phases (exploration, implementation and evaluation), in which students accessed interactive content, audiovisual resources, virtual debates and electronic voting simulations.
The study adopted a qualitative approach, with an action research design, in which students from grades 8 and 9 of a public educational institution participated. The data was collected through surveys, interviews, checklists and analysis of interactions on the digital platform.

The results show that the integration of digital tools in the teaching of citizenship skills increased student participation in school democratic processes and promoted greater awareness of their role in the educational community. There was evidence of a reduction in electoral apathy, an increase in the use of technological resources for deliberation and decision-making, and a better attitude towards digital democracy. These findings highlight the role of ICT in teaching citizenship, highlighting its potential to form critical and participatory citizens in the digital age.