University Students Use, Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Computers andICTs: Comparative Study between Two Jordanian Universities:A Sociological-Educational Approach

This study explores undergraduate students' use of knowledge and attitudes towards computer and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at two colleges in Amman and Albalqa universities. The study examines how students use computers during their learning and studies and what institutional, organizational and individual factors influence this use. It also examines the relationship between students' use of computers, their attitudes towards ICT and how these change during their studies. The research is a comparative study involving a sample of undergraduate students studying at the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in the University of Jordan and at Princess Rahmah University College in Albalqa University during 2003. The study reveals that about half of the students own their computers, two-thirds use computers, less than 5% use the computer and ICTs in the classroom, the majority has no training on how to use those technologies and there are no ICTs in the classrooms. Results show that there are significant differences among students related to computers’ use, to the benefits of students from the University of Jordan, and to those who are in their 2nd and 3rd years, who own a computer and believe it has positive effects on their study. No significant differences were found related to students’ sex and residence. Finally, the results show that there is a positive correlation between students' use, ownership and level of studies and their attitudes towards using those technologies in learning and private life.