New research suggests that younguniversityhopefuls expect
unrestricted access to the internet.
Those hoping to go to university are "digital natives" who use
social networking sites regularly and are quickly able to
perceive the potential benefits and limitations of new technologies
in their social and academic lives.
This is the picture painted by the results of research into the
attitudes of 16- 18-year-olds who are hoping to go to university.
Commissioned by ICT education body
JISC (Joint Information Systems
Committee), the survey looked at the attitudes of more than 500
young people.
The research found that use of the internet is the norm for
these young people, with 76% having accessed the internet from
their bedrooms and nearly two-thirds regularly using social
networking sites.
In addition, 84% said they liked to keep up to date with new
technology and use it as much as possible both for study and in
free time.
Ron Cooke, chairman of JISC, said, "Young people clearly have
very particular needs and expectations as far as ICT is concerned,
and while there is a great deal for colleges and universities to
absorb in this research, we hope it will help them plan more
effectively to meet the needs of all our future learners."