IS PREVIOUS STUDENT COMPUTER EXPERIENCE RELATED TO THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS INTERNET USE?

Authors

  • Stephen Ndawula Department of Curriculum, Teaching, Instruction and Media, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda
  • Lydia Namatende-Sakwa Department of Curriculum, Teaching, Instruction and Media, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda
  • June Patrick Bigirwa Department of Curriculum, Teaching, Instruction and Media, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v7i8.3210

Keywords:

previous computer experience, students’ use of internet, students’ attitudes, Kyambogo university

Abstract

In the recent past, university students were confined to traditional educational technologies such as chalkboards, papers and textbooks for pedagogical purposes. Institutions of higher learning in Uganda have provided Internet services to students, increasing their access to global resources through surfing, downloading and obtaining electronic materials. Students’ use of technology as a university provision should be explored in order to establish and meet their needs more effectively. This study was conducted in Kyambogo University in Uganda, to explore the impact of students’ previous computer experience on use of the Internet. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 280 university students. The quantitative data, collected using a questionnaire, was analyzed descriptively using SPSS for frequencies, means standard deviation and cross tabulation. The qualitative data, collected using interviews, was analyzed using thematic analysis. The results corroborated each other, indicating a significant relationship between previous computer experience and students’ use of Internet. It was recommended that students be incentivized in order to develop positive attitudes towards use of e-technology; and learners be introduced to use of ICT at both primary and secondary levels of education.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Stephen Ndawula, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, Instruction and Media, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda

    Dr. Ndawula Stephen has a PhD in Educational Communication and Technology and is currently Head of Department, Curriculum, Teaching, Instruction and Media, in Kyambogo University (KyU). Stephen is a Senior Lecturer and for three years was the Director Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL) KyU. He is a trans-disciplinary scholar with an extensive and successful career as a facilitator and a researcher at universities and nonprofits. He has a wide academic background in Educational Communication and Technology, Curriculum development, E-learning, Educational Research and evaluation of programs. He has had publications, conference papers and book chapters. He was a  Visiting Professor at the Center for the study of International Cooperation in Education, Hiroshima University, from April 2011-July 2011. One of Stephen’s book chapter is with Bloomsbury publishers; where the subject is “Education in East Africa”  www.bloomsbury.com/uk/education-in-east-and-central-africa-9781472508157/

  • Lydia Namatende-Sakwa, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, Instruction and Media, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda

    Dr. Lydia Namatende-Sakwa holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University in the U.S. She also holds a Doctorate in Gender and Diversity Studies from Gent University in Belgium. She also holds a Postgraduate Degree in Educational Technology from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She is a Lecturer and Postgraduate Research Coordinator in the Faculty of Education, Department of Curriculum Instruction, Teaching and Media Studies at Kyambogo University in Uganda. Dr. Namatende-Sakwa has had a wealth of experience within the field of education. She was a Visiting Scholar within the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College Columbia University in New York City as well as an Adjunct Assistant Lecturer, in the Department of Special Needs Education at Hunter College, City University of New York in the USA. She is interested in curriculum studies, education technology, gender, feminist studies and post-structural theory in which she has undertaken research and publication.

  • June Patrick Bigirwa, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, Instruction and Media, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda

    June Patrick Bigirwa is an independent researcher, who is also focused on implementing educational Programs, participating in developing policies, administering health services, conducting research, and offering technical assistance and consultancy to organizations and individuals involved in Education and Health related Programs. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Public Health, Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Project Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (PGDTLHE) and an Advanced Diploma in Health Promotion & Education (ADHPE). Currently, he is a PhD student at the Department of Educational Planning & Management, Faculty of Education, Kyambogo University, Uganda.

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Published

2020-07-24

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 8 (2020)

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