Faculty Articles

High Speed Internet Use and Academic Gratifications in the College Residence

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2003

Keywords

Internet; Higher education; Locus of control

Publication Title

Internet and Higher Education

ISSN

1096-7516

Volume

6

Issue/No.

2

Abstract

A multimethod exploration of undergraduates' high-speed Internet use in residence halls took a uses-and-gratifications approach (U & G) and revealed Internet use as integral to students' lives. Students' negative comments about Internet distractions from academic work led to identification of an individual difference variable, internal locus of control of academic effort, as potentially predictive of student variations in use. A random survey (n=364) revealed positive perceptions of Internet use for academics was weakly but significantly associated with internal locus of control for academic effort. Time spent instant messaging (IM) was negatively correlated with the ability to avoid Internet distractions and concentration on academic work. Strategies are needed to help undergraduates gain control over high-speed Internet use to meet their academic goals.

DOI

10.1016/S1096-7516(03)00020-4

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