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ERIC Number: EJ757072
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 14
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1521-0251
EISSN: N/A
The Digital Divide and First-Year Students
Goodfellow, Marianne; Wade, Barbara
Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, v8 n4 p425-438 2006-2007
Current cross-campus computing initiatives demand both access and skill in employing technology as a tool for academic success. Consequently, lack of computer skills can affect first-year students' potential for success because many courses assume students are computer literate. In this study, 888 first-year students completed a survey--administered for three years--that examined technology variables. A chi-square statistic and associated p-value indicated that students' access to computers increased over a three-year period, albeit it was income-related. Results showed an improvement in word processing, Internet and library-searching skills, and developing computer-enhanced presentations. However, results from the last year of the study showed that more than 50% of students rated themselves unskilled at library-searching and developing computer-enhanced presentations, with approximately one-third of students rating themselves unskilled at e-mail. Implications for first-year student computer-training support are discussed. (Contains 3 tables and 1 footnote.)
Baywood Publishing Company, Inc. 26 Austin Avenue, P.O. Box 337, Amityville, NY 11701. Tel: 800-638-7819; Tel: 631-691-1270; Fax: 631-691-1770; e-mail: info@baywood.com; Web site: http://baywood.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A