Angelique Nasah, Boaventura DaCosta, Carolyn Kinsell, Soonhwa Seok

Abstract: Research suggests students’ use of information and communication technology (ICT) may be more a matter of digital literacy and access rather than a generational trait. We sought to identify ICT preferences of post-secondary students (N = 580) through a Digital Propensity Index (DPI), investigating communication methods, Internet practices and the creation of online content. Age, gender and socioeconomic status were examined as factors which might explain why students use ICT. Results suggest age is a factor in ICT use but that it is not the most important consideration; the gender gap and gaps between socioeconomic groups in terms of ICT use may be closing. The findings raise a variety of implications for institutions training pre-service teachers, curriculum developers designing instructional materials and educational leaders developing ICT policy for schools.

Keywords: Digital literacy; Digital natives; Digital propensity; ICT; Age; Gender; Socioeconomic status

总 结：

1、本研究表明，学生使用信息和通信技术(ICT)可能更数字素养和访问的问题而不是一个代际特征。作者试图确定ICT偏好的学生通过一个数字(N = 580)倾向指数(DPI)调查沟通方法、网络行为和网络内容的创建。

2、年龄、性别和社会经济地位被检查为可能解释为什么学生使用信息通信技术的因素。结果显示，在ICT使用年龄是一个因素,但它并不是最重要的考虑因素,性别差距和社会经济群体间的差距可能会组织ICT使用。提高各种影响机构培训职前教师,课程开发人员设计教学材料和教育领导人对学校发展ICT政策有促进作用。

来源：Educational Communications and Technology. Feb 2010, P531-555. 25p.