The relationship between digital literacy and heutagogy learning: a pilot study among college students in Indonesia

PurposeThis study aims to describe digital literacy (DL) and heutagogy and examine the relationship between the two.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a quantitative approach using a survey method. The respondents were students at a college in Indonesia. The respondents were students at a college in Indonesia. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed to students via a Google form. Furthermore, the data were processed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).FindingsFrom a demographic profile, the study describes that students choose Google to search for information rather than to the library, the most used gadget is a smartphone, the average access to information is 2–7 h per day and the purpose of information access is to do assignments. The results of the statistical tests show there is a relationship between heutagogy learning and DL.Research limitations/implicationsThis study will help policymakers to develop DL in a vocational school.Originality/valueThis research will contribute to the improvement and implementation of heutagogy learning emphasis on a DL case study in Indonesia. This research can assist policymakers in preparing DL skills in heutagogy learning in vocational school. This research will add new literature, methodology and framework on heutagogy learning and DL to library and information management field.