A Study of Factors Influencing the Use of Computer and Internet in Educational-Research Activities from Viewpoint of Graduate Students of University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran

POURATASHI, Mahtab; MOKHTAR NIA, MOHAMMAD

A Study of Factors Influencing the Use of Computer and Internet in Educational-Research Activities from Viewpoint of Graduate Students of University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran

Authors

Abstract

Computer and Internet in educational and research dimensions can increase the level of students’ knowledge and ability. The purpose of this research was to study and make an analysis of the factors influencing the use of computer and Internet in educational-research activities of students. Survey method was used to gather data. The statistical population of the study included graduate students of the University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran (N=709) from which a sample of 91 members was randomly selected. Reliability and validity of the instrument were verified through obtaining the opinions of faculty members and through an application of Cronbach’s Alpha (0.89). The findings revealed that the most important variables influencing the use of computer and Internet from a student’s viewpoint were increasing the number of computer sets in the department, carrying out regular computer educational terms, as well as carrying out regular related English courses in the Educational Department. Factor analysis indicated that five most highly ranked factors influencing the use of computer and Internet were: attitude, educational, technical, environmental, as well as economical ones which respectively covered 18.33, 16.78, 13.65, 11.92, and 10.08 percent of total variance (70.76%).

Keywords