Technology Use by University Students

1. Presentation on “Technology used by university student” www.AssignmentPoint.com

2. Introduction to sociologyCourse Code: HUM 381 www.AssignmentPoint.com

3. STUDENT USES OF TECHNOLOGIES • Most of the student spent a considerable amount of their day ‘connected’ with digital technology. Some of them stay connected with digital technology 24 hours every day, excluding sleeping and showering. Moreover, many of the students described themselves as spending more time on using digital technology than other activities. • While they all used technologies, the participants in the study demonstrated a diverse range of preferences and needs.  Every student reported always carrying a mobile phone and a USB drive with them. Some students carried MP3/MP4 players (e.g. iPod) and cameras every day. Although many students have their own laptop, most of them usually use their laptops at home rather than bringing them to the university. www.AssignmentPoint.com

4. Cont’d • In keeping with previous studies, most considered laptops too heavy to warrant adding them to their already fully-laden backpacks.  Some students indicated that they bring laptops to campus only when they need to do presentations, or to download and store large amounts of data. Some of themselves as ‘carrying their laptops everywhere with them’ to take notes, to do assignments and to access the Internet for learning and socializing. These students live on campus or close to campus and drive. Both come to campus every day. www.AssignmentPoint.com

5. THE PLACES OF USING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO STUDY This diversity of preference was also evident in where the participants chose to use technologies to study. Some students preferred to use digital technology to studyat home rather than in the library or computer labs because ….. • Studying at home is more convenient, • They do not need to wait in a long queue for a spare PC, and • They can store their work (e.g. assignments) and relevant data into their computers or laptops directly and therefore do not need to worry about losing them. www.AssignmentPoint.com

6. Cont’d Some students preferred to use digital technology to study in the library or computer labs rather than at home because • The Internet speed of accessing to website in the library or computer labs are faster than at home, • There are many professional or special studying programs and software installed in the computers in the library or computer labs, and • It is easier to concentrate on study due to the quiet environment. Some students also used digital technology to study on a bus or a train if their trips take more than 30 minutes. www.AssignmentPoint.com

7. STUDENTS’ TECHNOLOGY SKILLS • Not all the students have highly developed technology skills. Most agreed that their technology skills are better than academic staff on average. • The main reasons why they do not accept certain new technologies for study are that these technologies are not examinable and are not obviously linked with their courses. • While they acknowledged that some technologies such as end Note could benefit their study, they may also make their study more complicated in that they take time to learn them and technical problems may be encountered as they begin. Some participants suggested that the university should provide workshops to improve the technology skills of both students and academic staff. www.AssignmentPoint.com

8. COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION WITH OTHER STUDENTS AND STAFF • Most of the student communicate using a variety of tools such as emails, phone call, text message, online communication tools (e.g. MSN, Face book and Skype), or direct face-to-face talk. In-depth interviews suggest that student preferences differ on how communicate or collaborate with other students. • For example, some students preferred to send emails to contact other students or staff if the matter is not urgent; some students preferred to talk on the phone rather than sending emails because they think it is more direct and do not need to wait for responses (some staff and students reply to emails quite slowly); some students would like to use internal phone to call staff because internal phone is free. www.AssignmentPoint.com

9. Cont’d • Some students prefer to communicate with other students by texting mobile phone messages because text messages are cheap and receivers can reply at any time when they are free; some students like to communicate with other students and staff by using online communication tools such as Face book, MSN and Skype. A small number of students would like to talk with academic staff and other students face to face because they think it is the most direct approach of communication. These students usually live around campus and they can come to campus everyday. www.AssignmentPoint.com

10. THE ROLE OF MOBILES IN IMPROVING ACCESS TO EDUCATION • Mobile learning increases access for those who are mobile or cannot physically attend learning institutions – those who would not otherwise be able to follow courses in a traditional educational setting due to the constraints of work, household activities, or other competing demands on their time. Mobile Learning makes education more accessible in that it enables learners to follow their studies according to their own schedule. The portability of mobile technology means that mobile Learning is not bound by fixed class times. Mobile Learning enables learning at all times and in all places, during breaks, before or after shifts, at home, or on the go. www.AssignmentPoint.com

11. LIMITATIONS OF TECHNOLOGIES Students also pointed out some limitations of using technology, primarily concentrating on three facets: • Using computers at the expense of important opportunities to talk each others, to discuss issues and to share ideas face to face • The instability of some technologies e.g. wireless service provided by the university. • some technologies make students’ study more complicated rather than easier because students have to take long time to learn and practice them. www.AssignmentPoint.com

12. WHAT ARE THEIR SOLUTIONS? • For Bangladesh, the priority should be to provide Internet access to academic institutions and to the intellectual communities. • private users should be more encouraged to create their own access to online Internet. • Having an Internet account is the primary thing, but not all: using the Internet for productive purposes and for real benefits is the main issue. • Rapid privatization of the telecommunication sector may remarkably enhance the speed of renovations through open-market competition. www.AssignmentPoint.com

13. END OF THE PRESENTATION www.AssignmentPoint.com

14. ANY QUESTION??? www.AssignmentPoint.com