Relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration: mediation evidence on the role of school climate

Abstract This study explores the relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration in schools, investigating the mediating role of school climate. Recognizing the critical need for empowering teachers in this digital age, this study, guided by the sTAM model, investigates to what ext...

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Main Authors: Ji Liu, Emmanuel Nana Kwesi Ofori Darko, Millicent Aziku
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44322-025-00040-1
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author Ji Liu
Emmanuel Nana Kwesi Ofori Darko
Millicent Aziku
author_facet Ji Liu
Emmanuel Nana Kwesi Ofori Darko
Millicent Aziku
author_sort Ji Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study explores the relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration in schools, investigating the mediating role of school climate. Recognizing the critical need for empowering teachers in this digital age, this study, guided by the sTAM model, investigates to what extent school climate mediates the relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration. Using partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), this study leverages a dataset of 35,108 subjects who participated in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 to analyze dynamics between digital preparedness, school climate, and digital integration. This methodological design allows for a detailed examination of direct and indirect effects, offering insights into the mechanisms driving digital integration in educational settings. Results indicate that digital preparedness has a significant positive direct effect on school climate (std.β = 0.075, p < 0.001) and digital integration (std.β = 0.201, p < 0.001), while school climate positively mediates the relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration (std.β = 0.013, p < 0.001). The study concludes that fostering a supportive school climate can substantially amplify digital integration efforts, emphasizing that school leaders should prioritize both digital infrastructure and climate improvements.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research
spelling doaj-art-dd4a7c18b0f4497a96fdd6fe12e95da72025-08-20T03:46:37ZengSpringerJournal of New Approaches in Educational Research2254-73392025-07-0114112410.1007/s44322-025-00040-1Relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration: mediation evidence on the role of school climateJi Liu0Emmanuel Nana Kwesi Ofori Darko1Millicent Aziku2Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityFaculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityFaculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityAbstract This study explores the relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration in schools, investigating the mediating role of school climate. Recognizing the critical need for empowering teachers in this digital age, this study, guided by the sTAM model, investigates to what extent school climate mediates the relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration. Using partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), this study leverages a dataset of 35,108 subjects who participated in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 to analyze dynamics between digital preparedness, school climate, and digital integration. This methodological design allows for a detailed examination of direct and indirect effects, offering insights into the mechanisms driving digital integration in educational settings. Results indicate that digital preparedness has a significant positive direct effect on school climate (std.β = 0.075, p < 0.001) and digital integration (std.β = 0.201, p < 0.001), while school climate positively mediates the relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration (std.β = 0.013, p < 0.001). The study concludes that fostering a supportive school climate can substantially amplify digital integration efforts, emphasizing that school leaders should prioritize both digital infrastructure and climate improvements.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44322-025-00040-1Cooperative/collaborative learningImproving classroom teachingLearning communitiesTeacher professional developmentDigital preparation
spellingShingle Ji Liu
Emmanuel Nana Kwesi Ofori Darko
Millicent Aziku
Relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration: mediation evidence on the role of school climate
Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research
Cooperative/collaborative learning
Improving classroom teaching
Learning communities
Teacher professional development
Digital preparation
title Relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration: mediation evidence on the role of school climate
title_full Relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration: mediation evidence on the role of school climate
title_fullStr Relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration: mediation evidence on the role of school climate
title_full_unstemmed Relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration: mediation evidence on the role of school climate
title_short Relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration: mediation evidence on the role of school climate
title_sort relationship between digital preparedness and digital integration mediation evidence on the role of school climate
topic Cooperative/collaborative learning
Improving classroom teaching
Learning communities
Teacher professional development
Digital preparation
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44322-025-00040-1
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AT emmanuelnanakwesioforidarko relationshipbetweendigitalpreparednessanddigitalintegrationmediationevidenceontheroleofschoolclimate
AT millicentaziku relationshipbetweendigitalpreparednessanddigitalintegrationmediationevidenceontheroleofschoolclimate