USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES BY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Information and communication technologies are a set of resources, instruments, computer applications, networks and platforms that facilitate the incorporation, manipulation, retention and dissemination of information. Objective: Analyze the use and preferences that university students give to information and communication technologies. Methods: Quantitative, observational-cross-sectional, descriptive approach. The population was composed of students of the Nursing Career of a public University of Ecuador, from where a sample of 238 students was selected through simple random sampling, to whom a self-administered questionnaire composed of 4 dimensions was applied: the general use of mobile phone, the use of applications, the network, and the deployment of technologies both at home and in the classroom. Results: 51.3% of students reported that they used their cell phones mainly to communicate with family and classmates, while 34.9% indicated that they used them for academic activities, WhatsApp became the social networking platform most used daily, with 72.7% usage. In the home context, students recognized that they used information and communication technologies for leisure activities, such as listening to music 53.8% and participating in collaborative group tasks with fellow students 46.6%. In the classroom, they are used for their collaboration, creativity and facilitation of learning. Conclusions: Students use Information and Communication Technologies for communication, leisure and educational purposes.