Exploring the Relationship between Digital Communication Intensity and Learning Effectiveness in Higher Education: Towards Sustainable Digital Pedagogy (SDG 4)
DOI:
10.29303/jppipa.v12i7.15571Published:
2026-07-31Downloads
Abstract
This study analyzes the relationship between digital communication intensity and learning effectiveness, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education). Employing a quantitative approach, 350 university students participated. Descriptive analysis showed a mean digital communication intensity of 3.00 (SD = 0.75) and learning effectiveness of 3.65 (SD = 0.72). Contrary to linear assumptions, Pearson correlation revealed a non-significant linear relationship (r = 0.12; p = 0.06). However, polynomial regression confirmed a significant inverted-U pattern (β₂ = -0.18; p < 0.001; R² = 0.68), with an optimum point at 3.66, indicating peak effectiveness at moderate intensity. Hierarchical regression showed that learning motivation and internet infrastructure quality significantly controlled the variance, confirming the robustness of the curvilinear model. These findings underscore the need for regulated digital platform usage to prevent cognitive overload
References
Afriana, J., Permanasari, A., & Fitriani, A. (2016). Project Based Learning Integrated to STEM to Enhance Elementary School’s Students’ Scientific Literacy. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 5(2), 261–267. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v5i2.5493
Aguinis, H., Beaty, T. A., Boik, R. J., & Pierce, C. A. (2005). Effect Size and Power in Assessing Moderating Effects of Categorical Variables Using Multiple Regression: A 30-Year Review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90(1), 94–107. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.90.1.94
Aulia, R., & Suryadi, B. (2022). The Impact of Digital Literacy on Students’ Learning Outcomes in Higher Education. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 8(4), 112–120. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v8i4.1654
Brown, E., & Davis, R. (2023). Intrinsic Motivation as a Buffer Against Digital Distraction. Learning and Instruction, 84, 101723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2023.101723
Cahyono, E. Y. (2021). The Correlation between Digital Communication Intensity and Academic Procrastination During the Pandemic. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 40(2), 345–356. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v40i2.38901
Chen, Q., & Zhang, L. (2022). Digital Fatigue in Higher Education: A Cognitive Load Perspective. Computers & Education, 182, 104475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104475
Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Buchner, A., & Lang, A. G. (2009). Statistical Power Analyses Using G*Power 3.1: Tests for Correlation and Regression Analyses. Behavior Research Methods, 41(4), 1149–1160. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149
Field, A. (2018). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th ed.). Sage.
Fitriani, N., & Kusuma, H. (2023). Cognitive Load in Online Learning: A Systematic Review. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(2), 250–265. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i2.2890
Handayani, T., & Prasetyo, A. (2023). Zoom Fatigue and Academic Performance in Indonesian Universities. Jurnal Kependidikan, 57(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.21831/jk.v57i1.56123
Hidayat, W., & Pratama, A. (2022). Internet Infrastructure Quality and Its Effect on E-Learning Satisfaction. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 8(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v8i1.1542
Kargas, A., Gkika, E. C., & Sepetis, A. (2024). Exploring Digital Transformation Intensity and Its Relationship with Sustainability: Greek Managers’ Perspectives. Sustainability, 16(14), 6077. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146077
Kurniawan, D., & Santosa, R. (2022). The Effect of Notification Frequency on Student Attention Span. Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 24(2), 150–162. https://doi.org/10.21831/jtp.v24i2.45123
Lestari, D., & Wulandari, S. (2023). Digital Fatigue Among University Students: An Empirical Study. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(2), 201–215. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i2.2678
Lestari, W., & Kusuma, A. (2021). Internet Quality and Its Effect on Online Learning Satisfaction. Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 23(3), 201–215. https://doi.org/10.21831/jtp.v23i3.34567
Miller, A., & Smith, J. (2021). Internet Infrastructure and Digital Divide in Online Learning. Internet and Higher Education, 50, 100805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2021.100805
Mulyani, S., & Bambang, P. (2023). Asynchronous Communication and Its Effect on Student Engagement. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 42(2), 250–265. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v42i2.47890
Nugraha, A., Purnomo, H., & Wicaksono, R. (2022). Technological Infrastructure and Learning Effectiveness in Rural Indonesia. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 8(3), 310–322. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v8i3.1890
Pratama, A., & Hidayat, R. (2023). Intrinsic Motivation as a Predictor of Digital Literacy. Jurnal Kependidikan, 57(2), 150–165. https://doi.org/10.21831/jk.v57i2.56789
Pratama, R., & Wijaya, C. (2023). Attentional Fragmentation in Hybrid Learning Environments. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(2), 150–164. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i2.2345
Purnomo, H., & Yulianti, R. (2023). The Impact of Hybrid Learning on Student Cognitive Endurance. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 42(1), 88–102. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v42i1.46789
Rahman, F., & Hidayat, A. (2023). Re-Evaluating the Linear Assumption of Screen Time and Learning Outcomes. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(1), 88–99. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i1.2567
Santoso, B., & Wibison, A. (2022). Digital Distraction and Academic Procrastination in Higher Education. Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan IPA, 8(2), 112–125. https://doi.org/10.21831/jipi.v8i2.34567
Saputri, W., & Tacoh, Y. T. B. (2025). The Relationship between the Intensity of Social Media Use and the Level of Digital Literacy in Informatics Subjects for Grade VIII Students of SMP Negeri 8 Salatiga. JAVIT, 5(3), 33–43. https://doi.org/10.24036/javit.v5i3.263
Setiawan, B., & Nurhadi, S. (2021). Polynomial Regression in Educational Research: Methodological Considerations. Jurnal Kuantitatif Pendidikan, 4(2), 112–125. https://doi.org/10.21831/jkp.v4i2.34567
Susanti, E., & Wijaya, I. (2022). Learning Management System Usage and Student Engagement. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 7(2), 201–218. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpk.v7i2.45678
Sutrisno, E., & Astuti, P. (2023). Sustainable Digital Pedagogy: Aligning with SDG 4 in Post-Pandemic Era. Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan IPA, 9(3), 401–415. https://doi.org/10.21831/jipi.v9i3.45678
Sweller, J. (2011). Cognitive Load Theory. Psychology of Learning and Motivation, 55, 37–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-387691-1.00002-6
Tacoh, B., & Kargas, A. (2022). Sustainable Digital Pedagogy in Higher Education. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 7(4), 401–418. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpk.v7i4.57890
Tien, Y., & Saputri, W. (2023). The Relationship between Screen Time and Attentional Fragmentation. Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 25(1), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.21831/jtp.v25i1.56789
Uncapher, M. R., & Wagner, A. D. (2018). Minds and Brains of Media Multitaskers: Current Findings and Future Directions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(40), 9889–9896. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1611612115
Wibowo, A., & Santoso, B. (2022). Hierarchical Regression Analysis for Controlling Confounding Variables in Social Sciences. Jurnal Metodologi Penelitian Pendidikan, 5(1), 22–35. https://doi.org/10.21831/jmpp.v5i1.22356
Wicaksono, R., & Purnomo, H. (2022). Digital Well-Being and Academic Performance Post-Pandemic. Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan IPA, 8(3), 401–415. https://doi.org/10.21831/jipi.v8i3.45678
Wijaya, C., & Nugraha, A. (2022). The Role of Self-Regulation in Mitigating Digital Fatigue. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 7(3), 301–318. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpk.v7i3.46789
Yulianto, B., & Kurniawan, E. (2021). Digital Well-Being Strategies in Higher Education. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 40(1), 120–134. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v40i1.34567
Zheng, S., Zhu, L., Weng, L., & Gu, X. (2024). The More Advanced, the Better? A Comparative Analysis of Interpretation Effectiveness of Different Media on Environmental Education in a Global Geopark. Land, 13(12), 2005. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122005
Zulfiati, H., & Mardapi, D. (2022). Validity and Reliability of Likert Scale Measurements in Large Samples. Jurnal Kuantitatif Pendidikan, 5(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.21831/jkp.v5i1.45678
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Fadli, Ratu Chaterine Fajri, Arifin, Prisma Yunia Putri, Made Dewi Purnami

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY License). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics, and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).

