Problems Faced by Students When Using Computers - Research Paper Example

? Problems of Computers Ahmed Alkishi Research Paper Second Drift Dean Michael Lynn November 17, 11, Computers have been in existence for several decades. They have evolved tremendously because of emergence of new technologies year after year. This development is part of the many problems computer users face. There is need for computer users to continuously refresh their understanding of this digital machine. Among the many users of computer in the modern age are students. They face problems of integrating computer in their educational work. The following research has identified several major issues that student raise in regard to usage of computers and has briefly touched on their solutions. There is also evidence that these problems differ at times with gender and age. These problems need to be solved or mitigated for benefits of computers to be maximized in the learning process. Problems of Computers Introduction A computer is an electronic device for processing information and performing calculations. It follows a program to perform sequences of mathematical and logical operations. Computers are vital tools in learning. Because of this, many governmental and non-governmental institutions campaign for increased integration of computing into learning. Majority students also use computers since they make studying more efficient, easy and interactive. Even with verifiable benefits of computing in learning, there are various huddles associated with use of computers by students. These reduce efficiency of integrating technology in education. The following paper focuses on the various problem students encounter while using computers and some of their solution. Problems that students face in regard to using computers as a learning tool can be classified into two. These are barriers and negative effects of using computers. There are five major categories of barriers. These are: (1) Emotions and attitudes (2) Declining faculties (3) Financial costs (4) Unfamiliarity with technology (5) Age-unfriendly instruction (6) Lack of relevance/motivation The following two tables show the major barriers of female students in using computers. Table 1: Major barriers of female students in using Source: Survey Report by Palfrey, J. & Gasser, U. (2008) p 447-472. The following two tables show the major barriers of male students in using computers. Table 2: Major barriers of male students in using computers Source: Survey Report by Palfrey, J. & Gasser, U. (2008) p 447-472. Emotions and Attitudes Emotions and Attitudes are most frequent barrier for female students and the second most frequent for male students. A substantial proportion of students do not have an in-depth history of computer usage. Female students express this as fears. Students expressed a number of fears that they felt limited their use of computers: fears of the machine, of the unknown, and of learning, as well as lack of self-confidence. Some female students feel that use of computers is a whole new thing. There is fear of networking wires and possibility of tampering with the machine. Female students fear that they might lose their work by pressing wrong keys or maybe damage the software system by performing certain unintentional commands. On the other hand, male students express this barrier as unknown void, anxiety and frustration, and lack of self-confidence. This barrier is quite common to students who do not have an in-depth history with usage of computers. A computer machine is perceived to be complicated and difficult to master its use in academic purposes by students (Montgomery, 2009).This limits the extent of comfort and reliance in computers in education. Declining Faculties Faculties can be said to be one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind or physical body. This problem is highly experienced by senior students who are 50 years and above. There are problems of lack of ability to concentrate, catch on quickly or to absorb information explained to them. This adversely affect what the students retain hence inhibits learning using computers. Failing of eyesight and arthritic reduces the ability students to locate information on the screen and control the mouse (Barak, Lipson & Lerman, 2006). This also makes it difficult to type on the keyboard of a computer. Therefore, these students easily forget what they are taught because of this limitation during the teaching process. Declining faculties highly contribute to loss of self-confidence for older students. They therefore perceive learning as difficult. Unfamiliarity with Technology Two specific subthemes identified here are problems with computer jargons and typing skills. Computer jargons are sometimes considered as a foreign language that is designed for computer specialists. They are confusing and intimidating to some. This is because some words have completely different meaning in computer language and in normal language (Mitra & Steffensmeier, 2000). A word like default that is clearly understood in day to day activities becomes a vocabulary in computer usage. Unfamiliarity with Technology is the third most frequent barrier for female students and the most frequent barrier by male students. The former are often intimidated while the later are frustrated by computer jargon. Unfamiliarity with keyboard arrangements and meaning of are huddles to tying using a computer’s keyboard. Many students believe that computer jargon is not just a barrier to their learning but to their independence as learners. Students may not understand prompts that a computer displays. They feel uncomfortable asking their colleagues for help as a result of fear of being judged as ignorant or illiterate. It is vital to provide an environment that does not suppress students’ ego as they strive to learn about using computers. Financial Cost This category is the fourth most frequently discussed limitation by male students. To their female counterparts, it is the least issue raised as a problem to use of computers as a learning tool. This is ironic since other studies identify cost as one of the greatest impediment for students incorporating computing in their education (Finn & Inman, 2004). This may differ in respect to the socio-economic status of the population of students being surveyed. Young students who support themselves financially are most likely to raise this as an issue unlike students whose education is financed by their parents or guardians. In general, senior citizens who are students also have this as a strong barrier compared to students in their youth. Age-Unfriendly Instructions As shown in the two tables above, this was the fifth problem that was a barrier in their academic activities related to use of computers for learning. Senior students are the most affected by environments where computer instructor are young and evening classes with relatively competitive, fast-paced instructions methods that are less helpful to needs of older students. There should be deliberate instructions aimed at helping the senior students compete fairly in learning with their junior colleagues without feeling alienated by the system (Montgomery, 2009). There is need for a slower pace of presentation, individualized help and social support to incorporate the special needs of the older students and fast-learning younger student. Lack of relevance / Motivation This issue is not occasionally raised as a barrier but it has significant important to identification of problems students face with computers. Some students do not see the importance of owning a computer. This is because they believe they can find services of a computer from a cyber cafe or in their institution’s computer laboratory. They therefore don not have its availability at hand at times when need maybe argent. They will also not learn by familiarity like their counterparts who have their computers around them. Most of these students who underestimate the need to own a computer are in non-science disciplines. Students who own personal computers find it easier to use them in their studies than those who do not have them. This is because they are more familiar with how they can apply various computer programs, for example Microsoft Excel in their data analysis. It is important that students be educated on the importance of having a personal computer at one’s disposal at all times. Many institutions of higher learning in the United States of America make it a compulsory for a student to have a computer upon admission into the university (Montgomery, 2009). This is a positive move towards mitigating problems students face in integrating computer skills into their education. Negative Consequences Negative effects of using computers are also problems that students face in relation to using computers in learning. These are the aftermath effects of employing computing in studies. These negative consequences are identified as: 1. Physical problems 2. Guilt feelings 3. Introversion/isolation/addiction 4. Cost and obsolescence 5. Security anxieties Physical Problems Both male and female students experience some form of problem after using computers for a long period. These problems are quite common to students who heavily employ computers in their studies. Physical problems include eyestrain, backaches and neck-aches (Montgomery, 2009). Solutions to this kind of problems include balancing the amount of time spent on a computer with other activities. Guilt Feelings This highly associated with there being no physical output to using a computer unless in times when one might need to print materials. Some students get this feeling of guilt since they might be considering themselves or being considered as lazy by those in their parents, siblings or friends. There is also guilt associated with finding materials for research work too conveniently on the internet. This is aggravated by submitting plagiarized work for assessment. This can be avoided by ensuring a student does high quality and original work. Addiction/ Introversion/ Isolation There is a great possibility of students getting addicted to using a computer. This ends up alienating a student from other activities including school work. It may have a negative impact on the social welfare of students since some get addicted to social media in the process of integrating their studies with computing. Spending too much time on a computer also leads to poor physical health. A student who goes from library to library in search of information is more likely to be more physically fit that his or her colleague who sit and searches for similar information on the internet (Mouza, 2008). There is need to balance the virtual cyber world and the physical world to avoid addiction to computers. Cost Cost is another negative effect of using computers in studies. Even after the initial investment in acquiring a computer, there are other costs which include software upgrades and maintenance of the computer in general. Many students opt to use counterfeit hard and soft wares to try and reduce this cost. This leads to poor performance of the machine in aiding the student in studies. It also leads to increased costs of maintaining the computer in operation in future (Finn & Inman, 2004). Costs may be reduced by ensuring that only genuine parts and software are used since this may eventually mitigate the cost of using and maintaining a computer. Security Anxiety Security anxiety is another negative effect of using computers. Security anxiety include issues pertaining computer virus infection, credit card fraud and email scams among others. Students participate in internet blogging and social networking which are highly responsible for spreading computer viruses. Students also act as consumers of e-business products such as essays and books. This makes them susceptible to credit card fraud (Mouza, 2008). Security anxiety can be avoided by investing in secure antivirus programs and performing secure internet transactions. Conclusion Students face various problems in using computers in their studies. These problems are different depending on demographic, social economic and the extent of exposure to technology. Some of the problems that students face with computers include physical problems, guilt feelings, introversion/isolation/addiction, cost and obsolescence, security anxieties, emotions and attitudes, declining faculties, financial costs, unfamiliarity with technology, age-unfriendly instruction and lack of relevance/motivation. Computers are vital tool of learning that makes learning efficient and easier. Its benefits are more than its limitation. Reduction of the problems students face with computers is likely to increase integration of computing into education for increased success in the learning process. References Barak, M., Lipson, A., & Lerman, S. (2006). Wireless laptops as means for promoting active learning in large lecture halls. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38(3), 245-263. Finn, S. & Inman, J. (2004). Digital unity and digital divide: Surveying Alumni to study effects of a campus laptop initiative. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 36(3), 297-317. Mitra, A., & Steffensmeier, T. (2000). Changes in student attitudes and student computer use in a Computer enriched environment. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 32(3), 417. Montgomery, K. (2009). Generation Digital. MIT Press: MA, 33(1) 137-148. Mouza, C. (2008). Learning with laptops: Implementation and outcomes in an urban, under- privileged school. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 40(4), 447-472. Palfrey, J. & Gasser, U. (2008). New York: Digital Basic Books. Read More