Information Technology Users´ Abilities: a Case Study on Computing Learning in an Undergraduate Course

Authors

  • André Luiz Pires de Miranda
  • Maria Celeste Reis Lobo de Vasconcelos
  • George Leal Jamil
  • Valéria Maria Martins Judice

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4301/s1807-17752006000200005

Abstract

Literature review shows minimum ability levels of Information Technology (IT) resources in use are currently essential to administrators and to professionals overall. As effective as Internet may be, new milestones for economic competition and company survival are being created. It is thus required that individual IT abilities are continuously reformulated to be adequately and creatively used, and new information sources and tools actively generated, rather than passively adopted. In evaluating the evolution of the IT abilities’ acquisition in Brazil, students of Business & Administration from a university are investigated. By means of questionnaire and in-depth interview application, data were collected on students’ perceptions of acquired abilities and importance of IT competencies. Together, computing science teachers and a course coordinator views were assessed. Empirical results obtained revealed that students' IT abilities were concentrated on basic computing science functions. The integration of IT learning in classroom practices was deemed poor as compared to importance attributed. Students signalized self-sufficiency or knowledge attitudes which, as tested, have not been actually proved. Low learning results were observed on IT conceptual knowledge, indicating students’ impatience with learning without interaction, as in long-text readings or teacher-centered classes. Strong student resistance to electronic commerce was evidenced and associated to perceived risks on IT evolution.

Author Biographies

André Luiz Pires de Miranda

FACE-Universidade Fumec, Belo Horizonte, Brasil E-mail: andre@face.fumec.br.

Maria Celeste Reis Lobo de Vasconcelos

FPL-Faculdades Integradas de Pedro Leopoldo, Belo Horizonte, Brasil E-mail:celestevasconcelos@terra.com.br.

George Leal Jamil

FACE-Universidade Fumec, Belo Horizonte, Brasil E-mail: gljamil@terra.com.br

Valéria Maria Martins Judice

FPL-Faculdades Integradas de Pedro Leopoldo, Belo Horizonte, Brasil E-mail: vjudice@uol.com.br.

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Published

2006-11-21

How to Cite

Pires de Miranda, A. L., Reis Lobo de Vasconcelos, M. C., Leal Jamil, G., & Maria Martins Judice, V. (2006). Information Technology Users´ Abilities: a Case Study on Computing Learning in an Undergraduate Course. Journal of Information Systems and Technology Management, 3(2), p. 163–192. https://doi.org/10.4301/s1807-17752006000200005

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Section

Articles