Digital Device Ownership and Learning Environment Preferences of Students in South Africa and Ghana
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education-TOJDE
Abstract
This paper explores differences in access to technology and configuration of preferences
for learning environments among design students in two universities of technology in
South Africa (ISA) and Ghana (IG). Laptops and Smartphones ownership influenced and
supported design students’ learning. In IG, there was a 97% Laptop ownership as against
69% in ISA. IG does not have computer laboratories; hence Laptop ownership is a pre requirement for Design programs. Oppositely, ISA has fourteen computer laboratories for
Design programs. There is no statistically significant difference between male and female
design students in their choice of learning environments for academic success. Design
students are not enthusiastic about accessing library resources via handheld devices.
Towards academic success, students ranked low, their institutions’ Learning Management
Systems. We recommend a blended approach when designing learning environments for
Design Education, while promoting the use of media platforms for content management
due to device ownership among students.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Device ownership, design, design students, higher education