Role of computers in student learning

Jack Lee, Paul Lam, Ken Lee, Simon Ho and Bob Fox
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong SAR, China


Based on continuing student demand, universities have increased the number of computers in learning centres, discussion rooms and libraries. The use of computers in education continues to take on a more and more prominent role from both the teachers’ and students’ viewpoints. This study investigates students’ use of computers to support individual self-and group-study in out-of-class learning settings. The focus of the research was to examine the extent to which computers are used to support student study and to determine whether students use university-provided computers or their own personal computers.

Over the last few years, the cost, portability and power of notebook computers has led to a significant increase in the number of mobile technologies students bring to campus. At the same time, the technology infrastructure in universities has also advanced, with many locations across campuses offering Wi-Fi connections.

The researchers visited the central library of the Chinese University of Hong Kong at various times and on various days in April 2009 -- a time at which libraries are busy as students prepare for examinations or need to complete assignment work. During each visit, the researchers counted:

(1) the total number of library users; (2) the number of students using computers at particular times; (3) the number of in-house computers and personal computers used; and (4) the use of computers in discussion rooms in the library.

The preliminary results indicate that:

their personal computers. The data confirmed the important role of computers in learning and also suggested that both the in-house and personal computers are heavily used. The study points to many potential areas for further investigation. For example, in the next stage, it is planned to identify, through interviewing students, the types of learning activities that are conducted using computers, and whether these learning activities are the same when students use the in-house or their personal computers.