Use of information and communication technologies (ICT) by university students: evaluating the effectiveness for learning purposes

Introduction. The article studies the problem of effective ICT usage for learning purposes by university students. The aim of the research is to assess how effectively university students use ICT for learning purposes. Materials and Methods. The authors designed a questionnaire containing 11 questions. The sample consisted of 150 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Adopting systemic and synergetic approaches, the authors analyzed and generalized the obtained data. Results. The authors found that the effectiveness and productivity of ICT usage for learning purposes by university students is low. According to the students, the objectives of ICT usage are the following: to download files in order to transform them into essays or reviews and to find answers to questions during tests and examinations. It was revealed that students do not try to memorize the information because it can be easily found again. The findings did not indicate significant difference in effectiveness of ICT usage between junior and senior students, undergraduates and postgraduates. The authors emphasized the need for preparing university students for effective ICT usage. Conclusions. The authors conclude that the majority of students had difficulties in the targeted use of modern ICT for learning purposes.