If we build it will they come? Investigating the relationship between students' access to and use of ICTs for learning

dc.contributor.authorBrown, Cheryl
dc.contributor.authorCzerniewicz, Laura
dc.date.accessioned2018-09-26T11:26:20Z
dc.date.available2018-09-26T11:26:20Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.date.updated2016-01-15T07:15:54Z
dc.description.abstractResearch from a survey of students in higher education institutions in the Western Cape has demonstrated that despite the difficulties being experienced in terms of access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in higher education, students report that they do indeed use computers for their learning. In this paper we explore the relationship between access and use examining particularly the influence of context on use. We focus on those specific aspects of access where previous studies have highlighted a link between access and use, namely; home computer access, individuals' interest in and aptitude with using computers, and support within social networks. Although the research findings do reveal quite obviously that students with poor access do make less use of ICTs for learning, this forms only part of the picture. High access does not guarantee high use: differentiation in use is noted amongst students from different socio-economic groups for example. There are also students with low access who exercise their agency in constraining conditions, and make frequent use of ICTs for learning, particularly in the business and engineering disciplines. The findings reported in this paper suggest that the notion of the digital divide is simplistic and less useful than previously thought; rather indications are that amongst higher education students there is a usage divide, and digital differentiation is a more useful framing concept.
dc.identifier.apacitationBrown, C., & Czerniewicz, L. (2007). If we build it will they come? Investigating the relationship between students' access to and use of ICTs for learning. <i>South African Journal of Higher Education</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/11427/28500en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationBrown, Cheryl, and Laura Czerniewicz "If we build it will they come? Investigating the relationship between students' access to and use of ICTs for learning." <i>South African Journal of Higher Education</i> (2007) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/28500en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationBrown, C. L., & Czerniewicz, L. (2007). If we build it will they come? Investigating the relationship between students' access to and use of ICTs for learning. South African Journal of Higher Education: NADEOSA 2006: Special Edition 6, 21, 730-745.
dc.identifier.ris TY - AU - Brown, Cheryl AU - Czerniewicz, Laura AB - Research from a survey of students in higher education institutions in the Western Cape has demonstrated that despite the difficulties being experienced in terms of access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in higher education, students report that they do indeed use computers for their learning. In this paper we explore the relationship between access and use examining particularly the influence of context on use. We focus on those specific aspects of access where previous studies have highlighted a link between access and use, namely; home computer access, individuals' interest in and aptitude with using computers, and support within social networks. Although the research findings do reveal quite obviously that students with poor access do make less use of ICTs for learning, this forms only part of the picture. High access does not guarantee high use: differentiation in use is noted amongst students from different socio-economic groups for example. There are also students with low access who exercise their agency in constraining conditions, and make frequent use of ICTs for learning, particularly in the business and engineering disciplines. The findings reported in this paper suggest that the notion of the digital divide is simplistic and less useful than previously thought; rather indications are that amongst higher education students there is a usage divide, and digital differentiation is a more useful framing concept. DA - 2007 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town J1 - South African Journal of Higher Education LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2007 T1 - If we build it will they come? Investigating the relationship between students' access to and use of ICTs for learning TI - If we build it will they come? Investigating the relationship between students' access to and use of ICTs for learning UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/28500 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/28500
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationBrown C, Czerniewicz L. If we build it will they come? Investigating the relationship between students' access to and use of ICTs for learning. South African Journal of Higher Education. 2007; http://hdl.handle.net/11427/28500.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentCentre for Educational Technology
dc.publisher.facultyCentre for Higher Education Development
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.sourceSouth African Journal of Higher Education
dc.source.urihttp://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/sajhe
dc.titleIf we build it will they come? Investigating the relationship between students' access to and use of ICTs for learning
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
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