Exploring patterns of technology use in UK college students: a cluster analysis of learners’ digital practices

ABSTRACT

This study assesses the use of various technologies, from institutional virtual learning environments to Web 2.0 tools, amongst learners studying at six general Further Education colleges in the UK. The study surveyed 218 students from a range of disciplines and qualifications. Cluster analysis revealed distinct patterns of engagement with technologies in both personal/social and educational contexts. Some support was found for a connection between personal/social and academic uses of technology. In contrast to the dominant narrative of learners as digitally fluent technology users, the analysis showed the majority of learners were using educational technologies in fairly simplistic ways that satisfy the demands of their course. Significant relationships were found between digital practices in college and subject studied and gender. The discussion draws on the literature of digital literacy practices in order to interpret the findings and inform the planning and development of learning technologies.

KEYWORDS:

• Post secondary education
• further education
• digital literacy
• technology-enhanced learning
• surveys
• cluster analysis

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the other members of the project team: Liz Browne, Ellen Lessner, Marilyn Hockley and Greg Benfield.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The data collection was supported by a grant from JISC titled ‘A study of further education learners’ experiences and expectations of the digital environment’ as part of the Digital Student project.

Notes on contributors

Rhona Sharpe

Professor Rhona Sharpe is Head of the Department of Technology Enhanced Learning at the University of Surrey, UK.

Dr Metaxia Pavklou is Research Fellow in the UCL Arena Centre for Research Based Education at University College London.

Qi Wu

Dr Qi Wu is Student Success and Evaluation Manager in the Student Success and Evaluation team at the University of Reading, UK.