Multivariate characterization of university students using the ICT for learning

Abstract

The new European training model has led to innovations in Higher Education as the incorporation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to learning processes. Each student learns in a different way and therefore the ways of studying are very relevant in the academic development. This fact has revealed the need for the use of ICT in the university environment. It has been a quantitative research using the questionnaire REATIC using a sample (N = 2117) of students from the five areas of knowledge at the University of Salamanca, to know the use and opinion they have about ICT in their learning. The results presented students management above all basic and personal interrelation programs, search engines in the network, online video portals and virtual libraries. They value the help and importance of ICT in their learning process and consider positively them as relevant tools. The results showed significant differences in the use and consideration of ICT in the five areas of knowledge. Health Sciences students present the highest preference level in use of ICT. Four well-differentiated clusters were identified by applying the factor analysis to obtain a multivariate characterization of the students: One was formed by students with a medium-low level of ICT consideration and use, another by the graduates with a high level of ICT consideration and use, to a third consisting of students with a medium-high level of ICT consideration and use and to final covering students with low level of ICT consideration and medium-low level of ICT use.