Exploring the Role of Digital Literacy and Grit on Teacher Performance: A Meta-Analysis
Country:
(1) Doctoral Student in the Education Department, Universitas Indraprasta PGRI, Indonesia
(2) Social Science Education Department, Universitas Indraprasta PGRI, Indonesia
(3) Teacher Professional Education Department, Universitas Indraprasta PGRI, Indonesia
(4) Department of Public Administration, Mindanao State University, Philippines
This study aims to systematically examine the influence of digital literacy and grit on teacher performance through a quantitative meta-analysis approach. The study is grounded in the growing importance of digital competence and non-cognitive psychological traits as key determinants of teacher effectiveness in the era of rapid digital transformation and increasing educational demands. While numerous empirical studies have investigated these relationships, their findings remain fragmented and inconsistent across different contexts, thus necessitating a comprehensive synthesis. A total of 28 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2018 and 2025 were selected using strict inclusion criteria and analyzed using JASP. A random-effects model was employed to estimate the pooled effect sizes, as the included studies varied in design, sample characteristics, and educational settings. Effect sizes were calculated using correlation coefficients (r), converted to Fisher’s Z values, and subsequently transformed back to r for interpretation. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the Q test and I² statistic, and potential publication bias was examined using forest and funnel plots. The meta-analysis results indicate that digital literacy is positively and statistically significantly related to teacher performance, yielding a pooled effect size of r = 0.502 (p < 0.001). Similarly, grit significantly influences teacher performance, with an effect size of r = 0.503 (p < 0.001). The I² values for both variables were 0%, indicating no substantial heterogeneity and suggesting that the findings are highly consistent and generalizable across studies. Visual inspection of forest and funnel plots further confirmed the absence of publication bias. In conclusion, this meta-analysis provides robust empirical evidence that both digital literacy and grit play crucial and complementary roles in enhancing teacher performance. These findings highlight the importance of integrating digital competency development and perseverance-oriented character education into teacher professional development programs and educational policy frameworks to promote sustainable improvements in teaching quality.
Keywords: digital literacy, grit, teacher performance, meta-analysis.
Afriliandhi, C., Hidayati, D., Istiqomah, I., & Melawati, A. (2022). Teacher’s digital literacy to improve quality in learning. International Journal of Education and Curriculum Application, 5(1), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.31764/ijeca.v5i1.7327
Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V., Higgins, J. P. T., & Rothstein, H. R. (2011). Introduction to meta-analysis. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470743386
Borthwick, A. C., & Hansen, R. (2017). Digital literacy in teacher education: Are teacher educators competent? Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 33(2), 46–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/21532974.2017.1291249
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed.). Milton Park: Routledge.
Damanik, J., & Widodo, W. (2024). Unlocking teacher professional performance: Exploring teaching creativity in transmitting digital literacy, grit, and instructional quality. Education Sciences, 14(4), 384. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14040384
Delgado, R., & Molina, L. (2024). Grit as a predictor of instructional performance among elementary school teachers. Education and Learning Studies, 15(2), 33–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.els.2024.03.003
Dewanto, W., Syarifudin, E., Hidayat, S., & Suryadi, S. (2024). The effect of digital literacy, innovative attitudes, and interpersonal communication on teacher performance. International Journal of Recent Educational Research, 5(2), 477–489. https://doi.org/10.46245/ijorer.v5i2.583
Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087
Dutta, R., & Das, B. (2022). Exploring the role of grit in teacher professionalism. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 19(3), 55–62. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajess/2022/v19i330460
Ferawati, E., & Purba, D. E. (2024). The influence of creativity and grit on teacher performance. Eduvest – Journal of Universal Studies, 4(10). https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v4i10.34667
Ferawati, E., & Purba, D.E. (2024). The influence of creativity and grit on performance in highschool teacher Xyz In Bandar Lampung. Eduvest - Journal of Universal Studies. https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v4i10.34667
Guðmundsdóttir, G. B., & Afdal, H. W. (2023). Teacher educators’ professional agency in facilitating professional digital competence. Teaching and Teacher Education, 123, 104238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104238
Hejazi, S. Y., & Sadoughi, M. (2022). How does teacher support contribute to learners’ grit? The role of learning enjoyment. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 17(3), 593–606. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2022.2098961
Higgins, J. P. T., Thompson, S. G., Deeks, J. J., & Altman, D. G. (2003). Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. BMJ, 327(7414), 557–560. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7414.557
Hunter, J. E., & Schmidt, F. L. (2004). Methods of meta-analysis: correcting error and bias in research findings (2nd ed.). LA: Sage Publications.
Jachimowicz, J. M., Wihler, A., Bailey, E. R., & Galinsky, A. D. (2018). Why grit requires perseverance and passion to positively predict performance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(40), 9980–9985. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1803561115
Khan, M., & Zafar, S. (2023). Investigating the effect of grit and self-efficacy on teacher effectiveness. Journal of Educational Psychology and Practice, 5(2), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.3390/jepp5020089
Lam, K. K. L., & Zhou, M. (2025). A meta-analysis of the relationship between growth mindset and grit. Acta Psychologica, 244, 104872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104872
Lipsey, M. W., & Wilson, D. B. (2001). Practical meta-analysis. Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412985018
Liu, X., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Passion and perseverance as predictors of teacher effectiveness. International Journal of Educational Development, 78, 102253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102253
Lloren, J., & Chavez, J. (2025). Digital literacy and professional engagement of early childhood educators: impact on teaching performance. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(7), 603–610. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.325
Ndlovu, T., & Moyo, M. (2021). Contribution of perseverance and motivation to teacher
Nugraha, F.C., Ahyani, N., & Rohana, R. (2024). The Effect of Digital Literacy and Motivation on Teacher’s Performance. Journal of Social Work and Science Education. https://doi.org/10.52690/jswse.v5i1.682
Okeke, I., Chukwuma, O., & Nwafor, C. (2023). Teacher resilience, grit, and job outcomes. Journal of Contemporary Teacher Research, 6(1), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/jctr.2023.100475
Omar, M., Rahim, N., & Aziz, R. (2024). Teachers’ grit and work engagement: Impact on teaching performance. International Journal of Teaching and Learning, 8(1), 34–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijtl.2024.01.004
Ramadhina, Y.R., Ribhan, R., & Mardiana, N. (2025). Teacher performance in the era of digital transformation: the influence of digital competence and organizational support moderated by work motivation. Smart Society. https://doi.org/10.58524/smartsociety.v5i1.732
Saboor, A., Malik, S., & Irshad, H. (2023). The mediating role of grit on job performance among teachers. Journal of Applied Educational Studies, 11(2), 101–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaes.2023.06.005
Sappaile, B. I., Abeng, A. T., & Nuridayanti, N. (2023). The relationship between teacher performance and teacher digital literacy with the implementation of online learning. International Journal of Educational Narratives, 1(3). 110–119. https://doi.org/10.55849/ijen.v1i3.350
Setyawan, F. G., Widyani, A. A. D., & Suardhika, I. D. (2022). Model of digital literacy and organizational support in determining teacher performance: an empirical study. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 5(11), https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v5-i11-11
Sundari, S., & Pakpahan, M. (2024). Peningkatan kinerja guru SMK melalui penguatan literasi digital dan kepemimpinan melayani [Improving the performance of vocational school teachers through strengthening digital literacy and servant leadership]. Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 3(1), 26-37.
Susilowati, N.S., & Haryono, H. (2025). Digital literacy on increasing the pedagogical competence for teachers in primary school. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan, 42(2). https://doi.org/10.15294/jpp.v42i2.29451
No supplementary information available.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
View My Stats

