Information Technology and Student Engagement

Abstract

This study examines the effects of information technology use on overall student engagement. The independent variables examined include age, ethnicity, gender, transfer status and parent’s education. It is hypothesized that younger, traditional students have a higher level of information technology use than non-traditional, older students. The hypotheses that relate to ethnicity are that Caucasian students will have a higher level of information technology use than Minority students. Data has been examined from the 2008 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Final results show that age, ethnicity, gender, and transfer status does not yield a statistically significant difference. However, Mother’s level of education is statistically significant. When analyzed, findings reveal that the lower the Mother’s level of education, the higher the level of information technology use. Overall findings suggest that additional research be done to increase validity.