Development the attitude scale for the effective use of educational digital technologies in social studies for gifted students (EDTEC-SS)

The integration of digital technologies in education presents both opportunities and challenges, especially for gifted students who require enriched learning environments. This study aimed to develop a 5-point Likert-type attitude scale (EDTEC-SS) to measure gifted students’ perceptions of the effective use of digital technologies in Social Studies. A multi-method research approach was employed, combining quantitative data collection procedures, including Likert-scale responses, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability analyses, with qualitative data obtained through open-ended questions and thematic analysis from 250 gifted students in Turkey. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed a stable five-factor structure: (1) Attitude Toward Digital Technologies, (2) Perceived Educational Benefit, (3) Participation and Interaction, (4) Technological Self-Efficacy, and (5) Critical Evaluation of Digital Technologies. The scale demonstrated satisfactory construct validity and strong internal consistency across all dimensions. Overall findings indicate that gifted students tend to hold positive attitudes toward the effective use of digital technologies in Social Studies, particularly in terms of engagement, comprehension, and independent learning. The EDTEC-SS provides a reliable measurement tool for examining gifted students’ attitudes toward digital technology integration in Social Studies education.