scholarly journals An Investigation of the Social and Academic Uses of Digital Technology by University Students

Author(s):  
Eliana Gallardo Echenique

In most developed countries university students use digital technologies and the Internet in all facets of their daily life. These students represent the first generation to grow up with this new technology and have been given various names that emphasize its affinity and tendency to use digital technology such as digital natives, Net generation and Millennials. Given the lack of empirical support for the notion of a “digital generation”, this study presents a different perspective of what these learners think about their use of digital technologies for academic and social purposes and how they feel about the “Digital Native Generation” phenomenon. This study examines this issue in depth to gain an understanding of what the growing use of new digital technologies means for teaching and learning in higher education.

Author(s):  
Antonio Cartelli ◽  
Angela Di Nuzzo

In this paper the behaviors and tendencies in the use of digital technologies by university students are analyzed. After a short discussion of former studies and the presentation of the model for digital literacy structure and assessment in students attending compulsory school, the investigation carried out by the authors is described and the results obtained from the analysis of the university students’ answers is reported. The survey was submitted to 331 students in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Cassino, Italy, and the students’ answers show a contradictory reality: on one side, digital technologies are mainly used to communicate in social networks or to play music and movies, on another side it is evident the students’ interest for the most recent aspects of the application of digital technology and for the improvement in the quality of their use.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Veldman ◽  
Loes Meeussen ◽  
Colette van Laar

First-generation students show lower academic performance at university compared to continuing-generation students. Previous research established the value in taking a social identity perspective on this social-class achievement gap, and showed that the gap can partly be explained by lower compatibility between social background and university identities that first- compared to continuing-generation students experience. The present paper aimed to increase insight into the processes through which this low identity compatibility leads to lower academic achievement by examining first-year university students’ adjustment to university in two key domains: the academic and the social domain. These were examined as two routes through which the social-class achievement gap may arise, and hence perpetuate this group-based inequality. Adjustment was examined both through students’ actual integration in the academic and social domains, and their internally experienced concerns about these domains at university. A longitudinal study among 674 first-year university students (13.6% first-generation) showed that first-generation students experienced lower identity compatibility in their first semester, which was in turn related to lower social, but not academic, integration. Lower identity compatibility was also related to more concerns about the social and academic domains at university. Low identity compatibility was directly related to lower academic achievement 1 year later, and this relationship was mediated only by lower social integration at university. These findings show that to understand, and hence reduce, the social-class achievement gap, it is important to examine how low identity compatibility can create difficulties in academic and particularly social adjustment at university with consequences for achievement.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Odundo Paul Amolloh ◽  
Ganira Khavugwi Lilian ◽  
Milimu Gladys Shaji

Dispositions towards use of digital technologies in modern early childhood settings have dramatically transformed aspects in education sector through development and integration of technology into education policy, curriculum and practice. Digital technology as a tool in instruction benefits learner’s fine motor skills, language and communication readiness, mathematical thinking as well as positive attitudes towards learning. Conversely inadequate educational and digital competence hampers teachers in Early Childhood Education (ECE) access to digital technology. This study assessed ways in which teachers in ECE in Kenya access digital technologies. It was designed as a two-phase exploratory mixed methods study. The design allowed collection of data from two groups of ECE educators: case study and survey teachers. Case-studies of two ECE centers (low and high technology) involving 11 ECE teachers were compared in order to examine similarities and differences in access to digital technologies. Similarly, teachers (n=508) in two education zones were surveyed and drawn in terms of similarities and differences in access to digital technologies. Findings indicated that ECE teachers in Kenya have limited access to digital technologies due to non-availability in ECE teaching and learning environments. To address this challenge, the study recommends Ministry of education to put emphasis on funding technology resources in early childhood settings. Furthermore, teachers in ECE should be exposed to a variety of developmentally appropriate digital technologies in order to effectively enhance teaching and learning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (32) ◽  
pp. 238-246
Author(s):  
Kum Yoke Soo ◽  
Nor Haniza Hasan ◽  
Hazwati Hashim ◽  
Nadiah Yahyauddin

This paper uses a descriptive approach to investigate the implementation of 21st-century classroom learning at the tertiary level. The action research observed the use of digital technology in a university’s “Week Without Walls” initiative. The purpose was to find out what activities were carried out in the “Week Without Walls” and how they were implemented in relation to 21st-century education learning. A total number of 17 lecturers’ teaching and learning activities were observed during a one-week university initiative of out-of-classroom “Week Without Walls” implementation. Lecturers were given directions to prepare their activities outside the classroom walls in any form or manner of their choice. The results showed that the majority of lecturers used digital technologies to carry out their activities during the week with the highest application being online learning and WhatsApp mobile sharing. This provided a strong indication that the possibilities of the use of digital technologies for teaching and learning are tremendous and highly recommended for the implementation of 21st-century classroom learning.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (28) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Mauricio Moya Márquez

RESUMEN Este artículo se centra en los resultados de un estudio cuyo propósito fue develar las percepciones de futuros profesores de matemáticas e informática educativa de la UCSH, acerca de sus competencias en el uso de tecnologías digitales en la escuela. El estudio fue realizado en el contexto de una línea internacional de investigación sobre el uso de las TIC en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje en una sociedad digital. La metodología incluyó un cuestionario y entrevistas. A los participantes se les preguntó cómo percibían sus conocimientos y competencias en el uso de la tecnología digital como recurso para promover el aprendizaje de las matemáticas. Los resultados más importantes mostraron que ellos se percibían mejor preparados en el “conocimiento sobre estas tecnologías” y en los “aspectos técnicos”, que en la pedagogía y gestión involucrados en el uso de estos recursos en la escuela. Además, los participantes reportaron una baja participación en proyectos innovadores destinados a incorporar estas tecnologías en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje.Palabras clave: Competencias digitales docentes, tecnologías de la información y comunicación, informática educativa, formación docente, educación matemática. ABSTRACT This article focuses on the results of a study aimed to unveiling perceptions that future Teachers of Mathematics and Computers in Education of UCSH have about their skills in the use of digital technologies at School. The study was done in the context of an international line of research on the use of ICT for teaching and learning in a digital society. The methodology included a questionnaire and interviews. Participants in the study were asked how they perceived their knowledge and skills in the use of digital technology as a resource to promote mathematics learning. The most important results showed that participants perceived themselves better prepared in the “knowledge about these technologies” and, in the “technical aspects of these technologies” than in the pedagogy and management involved in the use of these resources at School. Additionally, respondents reported a low participation in innovative projects intended to incorporate these technologies in teaching and learning at School.Keywords: Teacher Digital Competences, Information and Communication Technologies, Educational Informatics, Teacher Training, Mathematics Education. 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.V. YUr'ev

Digital technologies have become an integral part of our everyday life. Today the application of digital technologies surrounds us at home, at work, in education, transport or leisure. Digital transformation is not only about the technological shift. New technologies, software and hardware solutions are emerging every day. The importance of digital technology in vocational education cannot be ignored. In fact, with the advent of computers in education, it has become easier for teachers to transfer knowledge and for students to acquire it. The use of technology has made the teaching and learning process even more enjoyable. But the negative aspects of the use of digital educational technologies in training highly qualified specialists on the labor market are also not excluded.


Author(s):  
Heather Conboy ◽  
Sukhtinder Kaur ◽  
Julie Lowe ◽  
Ian Pettit ◽  
Rob Weale

In 2011 the Centre for Enhancing Learning through Technology (CELT) was established at De Montfort University (DMU). The aim of the Centre is to work with staff and students to transform their learning and teaching experiences through the situated use of technologies (CELT, 2013). This case study offers an overview of the ways in which the CELT seeks to realise its vision in relation to the use of digital technologies for enhancing teaching and learning. In particular it seeks to ‘bridge the gap’ between digital ‘know how’ and the effective pedagogic implementation of digital technology as part of a curriculum. Key elements of the CELT strategy, and its ‘on the ground’ approaches to catalysing engagement and driving innovation in the use of digital technologies for teaching and learning will be detailed. This will include a series of examples of staff developmental projects that have sought to enhance student learning through the use of digital technologies. It is hoped that the case study will be of value in terms of highlighting effective practices and broader strategic approaches that may inform other practitioners who are interested in the use digital technologies for enhancing teaching and learning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 2415-2426
Author(s):  
Karen Daniels ◽  
Kim Bower ◽  
Cathy Burnett ◽  
Hugh Escott ◽  
Amanda Hatton ◽  
...  

AbstractFor many young children in developed countries, family and community life is mediated by digital technology. Despite this, for early years educators, the process of integrating digital technologies into classroom practice raises a number of issues and tensions. In an attempt to gain insights from early years teachers, we draw from semi-structured interview data from ten practising teachers which explored their perspectives on digital technologies within their personal and professional lives, and of children’s use of digital technologies within and outside educational settings. Our analysis builds on previous work that suggests that teachers draw on multiple discourses related to conceptualisations of childhood when thinking about digital technology and young children. In this paper we contribute to these discussions, drawing specifically on examples from the data where teachers articulate their understandings of children’s use of digital technology where this relates directly to children’s literacy practices. We assert that narrow conceptualized notions of literacy, compounded by national imperatives to raise print literacy standards, add another layer of discursive complexity that comes to the fore when teachers are asked to provide a rationale for the promotion of digital literacies in early years classrooms. A broader framing of literacy therefore, is needed if the potential of digital technologies in the early years is to be realized.


Author(s):  
Antonio Cartelli ◽  
Angela Di Nuzzo

In this paper the behaviors and tendencies in the use of digital technologies by university students are analyzed. After a short discussion of former studies and the presentation of the model for digital literacy structure and assessment in students attending compulsory school, the investigation carried out by the authors is described and the results obtained from the analysis of the university students' answers is reported. The survey was submitted to 331 students in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Cassino, Italy, and the students' answers show a contradictory reality: on one side, digital technologies are mainly used to communicate in social networks or to play music and movies, on another side it is evident the students' interest for the most recent aspects of the application of digital technology and for the improvement in the quality of their use.


2019 ◽  
pp. 157-168
Author(s):  
Elsebeth Wejse Korsgaard Sorensen

Innovation with digital technologies in formal teaching and learning processes with the purpose of educating learners to become global citizens suffers from inertia. In particular, when it comes to innovation with digital technologies within processes of collaboration and dialogue. It seems that digital dialogue in education utilized for democratic change appears a complex challenge to address. However, historically, new technological innovations have often been rejected. It takes a long time to become accustomed to new technology and to realise its advantages, let alone to be actively utilized (Castells, 1998). Regardless of attitudes towards technology in general, the arguments have been strong for preparing learners for a future in a society permeated with digital technologies.


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