The differential effects of critical thinking and digital literacy on civic engagement in project-based civic learning: Evidence from Indonesian higher education

Mulyoto, Galih Puji ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0649-1587, Wibowo, Agus Mukti ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1257-1591, Miftahusyai’an, Mohammad ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7727-3400, Basori, Basori and Fuad, Varidlo (2026) The differential effects of critical thinking and digital literacy on civic engagement in project-based civic learning: Evidence from Indonesian higher education. Jurnal Civics: Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan, 22 (2). pp. 807-822. ISSN 2541-1918

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Abstract

This study examined how critical thinking and digital literacy contribute to civic engagement among pre-service primary school teachers in a Civic Education course using Project-Based Civic Learning (PjBCL) at an Indonesian university. Using a quantitative correlational design, data from 126 students were analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling. Pre-post gains were large for critical thinking (d = 1.116), digital literacy (d = 1.418) and civic engagement (d = 1.726). The two competencies operated through different mechanisms. Critical thinking partially mediated the effect of PjBCL on civic engagement (indirect effect = 0.038; 95% CI [0.012, 0.072]), whereas digital literacy did not. Although digital literacy was the strongest direct predictor of civic engagement (β = 0.350; f² = 0.124), its link with PjBCL was negligible (β = 0.004; Q² = 0.001), suggesting students develop it mainly through informal online engagement rather than the curriculum. Building on dual-process theory, the study proposes Digitally Scaffolded Civic Learning (DSCL), which embeds digital literacy in each stage of project-based civic instruction, offering implications for curriculum planners in Indonesian civic education.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	civic education; civic engagement; critical thinking; digital literacy; Indonesian higher education; project-based civic learning
Subjects:	13 EDUCATION > 1399 Other Education
Divisions:	Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teaching Training > Department of Teacher Education for Islamic Primary Schools
Depositing User:	Agus Mukti Wibowo
Date Deposited:	05 Oct 2026 10:08

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