Exploring the Attitude and Preferences of Students Regarding Using Digital Technologies at the University Level

Abstract

The current study aimed to explore either teachers are using technology or traditional means for teaching in their classrooms at the university level. Moreover, how many students are owning personal technological devices (Smartphones/Laptops). Which digital technologies do students prefer to use at the university level and for what purposes do students use these digital technologies in their daily life and within classrooms. In addition to this, students’ attitude towards learning through digital technologies was also explored. A mixed-method approach was used and first-semester students of the Social Sciences department were conveniently selected as a sample of the study n=547. The results of the study indicated that most of the teachers were using traditional tools for teaching purposes. Moreover, 95% of students were owning personal laptops and 96% of students were having smartphones but still, most of the students (78%) were learning by using traditional tools. In addition to this, (76.2%) of students indicated that they will like to learn by using smartphones as compared to laptops. Whereas, (67.6%) students indicated that they will prefer to learn with technological tools (Smartphones and Laptops) instead of traditional tools (Book/Paper/Pen). Furthermore, most of the students (58%) often use digital technologies like laptops or smartphones within the class but very few use them for study purposes. They mostly use smartphones within the class when they felt bored, for time-pass and chatting with their friends during lectures. Furthermore, in daily life, students mostly use digital technologies for entertainment and other purposes but rarely for study purposes. It is recommended that teachers might integrate technological tools in their daily lesson plans for improving the teaching and learning process at the university level.