Wireless internet technology to support learning in the university of Jordan: Students voices

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the obstacles that students face at The University of Jordan when using wireless Internet technology. In addition, the aim of this study is to determine any statistically significant differences in student perceptions of the obstacles faced when employing wireless Internet technology regarding their gender and university educational level. A stratified sample of (500) students (male, female) was selected from the University of Jordan during the 2013-2014 academic year. A questionnaire with three sections was developed to collect data to answer the research questions of the study. The first section compiled demographic information; the second section consisted of (11) items, and third section consisted of an open-ended question. Results showed that student perceptions of the obstacles they encountered during their use of wireless Internet technology in learning were exceedingly high. There were also statistically significant differences among student perceptions concerning the obstacles related to the utilization of wireless technology with regard to gender (females). Nevertheless, there were no statistical significant differences with the means of student perceptions concerning the obstacles related to exploiting wireless technology at the university-level educational experience. The main obstacles faced by the students included the poor Internet wireless coverage in an important number of buildings in the University of Jordan and lack of sufficient power switches to charge portable devices on campus.