ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL USES OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES OF THE FIRST YEAR UNIVERSITY STUDENT

Abstract

This paper aims to provide some important insights into how first-year university students use digital technology for academic and social purposes. We conclude that most students feel comfortable with digital technologies and they see social networks as more about connecting and interacting with friends than for academic communication. Results show that students generally prefer personal email, face-to-face interaction, social networks and mobile phones to communicate and connect with others. Regarding study habits, students prefer to learn by themselves, work independently and to study at home. This contradicts one of the net generation claims which says students today favor collaborative approaches.

Keywords

• Estudiante digital
• era digital
• TIC
• medios de comunicación
• educación superior.