Student uses of IT in learning: An ethnographic study

In their article, Miranda in the Brave New World: Learning in a Web 2.0 millennium, Barnes and Tynan (2007) tell the story of an imaginary British student who uses technology seamlessly to stay connected almost 24 ? 7 with friends, peers and teachers in a global learning environment. Whether she is representative of the majority of university students is a topic of debate in the literature. This research aimed to explore how students use technologies in their everyday lives, whether on campus or off-campus, to support their learning. The ethnographic study was designed to inform the development of a survey about student information technologies (IT) experiences during their learning at an Australian university, which will contribute toward IT infrastructure policy and planning. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to developing a better understanding of student issues in the context of their overall IT experience at the University through surveys, interviews and student focus groups.8 page(s