Abstract
Access to computer technology is essential in developing 21st century skills. One venue that serves to bridge the gap in terms of access is internet shops (also known cybercafés or internet cafés). As such, it is important to examine the type of activities internet shop users engage in and how they develop and relate to their e-learning readiness. This study examined the profile, computer practices and e-learning readiness of seventy one (71) internet shop users. A researcher-made internet shop computer practice questionnaire and an e-learning readiness questionnaire adapted from Watkins, Leigh and Triner (2004) were utilized. Results revealed that most internet shop users are adolescents and also have access to technology at home. Computer practices of users in internet shops involve primarily browsing and communicating activities more than playing activities. Internet shop users also rated themselves as ready for e-learning, with females having significantly higher e-learning readiness than males. Browsing activities had positive correlation with communicating and playing activities. Playing activities had negative correlation with e-learning readiness. These results indicate the viability of internet shops as avenues for learning. It is recommended that teachers optimize this by engaging students in e-learning activities involving online research and collaboration, and referring students to online educational game-based resources.
Highlights
21st century students are referred to as digital natives since they were born in the age of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
The research study is anchored on the concept of Sey & Fellows that access to ICT leads to an increase in IT knowledge and aspirations [14]
They expressed having technology devices at home specially internet connection (85.92%), laptop computer (76.05%) and desktop computer (67.61%). They spend less than five hours on the computer for school related tasks (67.61%) as well as for personal tasks (39.44%). This result is similar to their expressed computer use in schools which is less than five hours for school related tasks (85.07%) and for personal use (65.67%)
Summary
21st century students are referred to as digital natives since they were born in the age of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). For these so-called millennials, they use computers for most of the activities of traditional childhood, such as play, socialization, communication and even learning [1]. Even if it serves as an avenue to close the digital divide in terms of access, it is important to examine how the activities that users engage in these establishments relate to developing their e-learning readiness. Computers are becoming more and more integrated into the curriculum and even becoming the source of the knowledge themselves This is especially true when one accesses the internet.
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