Participatory learning cultures: a pilot study into digital literacy amongst HE students

Questionnaire

We would be grateful if you could spare your time to complete this questionnaire, as part of a research project looking at students access to, and use of digital technologies and the Internet. The information collected in this questionnaire will be used only for the purpose of research and kept confidential to the research team. Thank you. 1. About you Name of your course: .. Nationality: .. Year of study: .. Gender: Undergraduate or post-graduate (please specify): . Age:

2. ABOUT YOUR ACCESS TO, AND THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES 2.1 Do you own? Please tick all that apply A desktop computer A laptop / netbook computer A phone with Internet capability (e.g., iPhone) (please specify) A phone without Internet capability A digital camera (other than a phone) An MP3 player An iPad or other tablet computers (please specify) An Amazon Kindle or other e-readers (please specify) A Gaming devices (please specify if this is Internet capable) Other digital devices (please specify) 2.2 Out of the above devices that you have, which ones (maximum 3) do you find most useful for your studies and any study-related work? Please list in order of priority (1 = most important) 1 (most important) 2 3 2.3 Where and what devices do you use to access the Internet during term time? Please tick all boxes that apply University computers Your computer / laptop / netbook A mobile phone (e.g., iPhone) (please specify) iPod Touch Other digital devices (e.g., game console) (please specify)

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2.4 In an ordinary day, please estimate the percentage of your access to the Internet from the following locations. Please fill all boxes that apply Wired % From university computers At the university, using your own computer At term-time accommodation Other locations (e.g., cafes) While one the move (e., on the train) Other types (please explain) 2.5 In addition, do you use a dongle device to access Internet? Please circle the relevant response Yes / No 2.6 How many days a week, on average, would you estimate you use a computer? Please tick ONLY the most appropriate category everyday every other day Twice a week Once a week 2.7 How many hours a day, on average, would you estimate you use a computer? Please tick the most appropriate category Less than one hour 1-3 hours 3-6 hours 6 -8 hours More than 8 hours 2.8 Please indicate the locations where you use computers during term time. Please tick all boxes that are relevant. Term-time accommodation University library Lecture rooms, seminar rooms Computer room in the university Office or workplace (if applicable) Cafes at the University Cafes elsewhere At friends, relatives, On the move (e.g., on the train) Other places (please specify) 2.9 Please write in the box below the top three locations where you use a computer. Wireless %

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2.10 Given the time you spend using a computer, please estimate how much of that time you spend doing activities that are: % Directly related to your studies Related to personal hobbies and interests. (i.e. social arrangements, games and hobbies) Home / life management (i.e. travel arrangements / financial planning / shopping etc) Total amount of time you spend on a computer would be: 3. METHODS AND TOOLS USED FOR YOUR STUDIES 3. 1 When you study, how often do you use the following methods? Please use the numbers 0, 1 or 2 to indicate the frequency of use. 0 = rarely or never 1 = sometimes use 2 = always/ nearly always use Borrow books from libraries Photocopying journal articles Download and print web-based journals Download and save web-based journals on the computer Browse web pages for information. Purchase books from bookshops. Purchase books online Other (please specify) 3. 2 When you search for books and articles, how often do you use the following methods? Please use the numbers 0, 1 or 2 to indicate the frequency of use. 0 = rarely or never 1 = sometimes use 2 = always/ nearly always use Ask a librarian. Ask friends and peers Examine bibliographies of publications Search using keywords on databases available from the library website. Search using other bibliographic search tools (please specify) Search using keywords on Internet search engines (e.g. Google) Search using keywords on Google Scholar Search using Amazon Find references from special interest websites (please specify) Other (please specify) 3.3 When you take notes, how often do you use the following methods? Please use the numbers 0, 1 or 2 to indicate the frequency of use. 0 = rarely or never 1 = sometimes use 2 = always/ nearly always use Make notes with pen and paper. Highlighting / underlining relevant quotations as you read. Writing notes in margins of books and articles. Making notes with word processor. Mind mapping / concept mapping on paper Mind mapping / concept mapping using digital tool. Other (please specify) 100%

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3.4 When you plan your written work, how often do you use the following methods? Please use the numbers 0, 1 or 2 to indicate the frequency of use. 0 = rarely or never 1 = sometimes use 2 = always/ nearly always use Plan by hand using pen and paper Make an essay plan using a word processor Make a paper-based mind map. Use digital mind mapping software. Other (please specify) 3. 5 When you edit your work, how often do you use the following methods? Please use the numbers 0, 1 or 2 to indicate the frequency of use. 0 = rarely or never 1 = sometimes use 2 = always/ nearly always use Read through on screen and make appropriate changes Print out and comment in margins Ask peer to read and comment Use digital editing tools (i.e. Track-changes) Use digital spell checking tools. Use digital grammar checking tools. Other (please specify) 3. 6 For organising your workload / schedule, how often do you use the following methods? Please use the numbers 0, 1 or 2 to indicate the frequency of use. 0 = rarely or never 1 = sometimes use 2 = always/ nearly always use Make to-do lists on paper Keep a traditional diary Use a wall planner Use an organiser / calendar function on your computer. Use an organiser / calendar function on your mobile phone Other (please specify) 4. How often do you carry out these activities? Please use the numbers 0, 1 or 2 to indicate the frequency of use. 0 = I rarely or never 1 = sometimes use 2 = always / nearly always use Update your social network site(s) (e.g., Facebook) (please specify) Watch Television programmes (e.g., BBC iPlayer) (please specify) Listen to radio programmes on the computer or mobile phone (please specify) Contribute to blogs Use social bookmarking sites (e.g. Delicious) (please specify) Contribute to wikis Play video games Download / share music Use 3-D virtual worlds (e.g., Second Life, please specify the one you use) Chat using instant relay text (e.g., MSN) Make voice calls using Internet (e.g., Skype) Share digital photographs (e.g., Flickr. Please specify the ones you use) Share videos (e.g., YouTube. Please specify the ones you use) Record your own music (i.e., playing an instrument and recording it; singing and Page 4 of 8

recording) Mix music Make graphic art Contribute to online discussion forums / bulletin boards Microblogging (such as Twitter, please specify which one) Subscribe to RSS feeds Programming Ebay trading Online shopping Online banking Use Apps (please specify which ones) Other (please specify) 5. ABOUT YOUR ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS 5.1 Your use of different methods and technologies to communicate with tutors, experts in the field, course mates and friends. Please rank from 02 as follows. 0 = rarely or never 1 = sometimes use 2 = always/ nearly always use Communicating with your tutor(s) Face to face Telephone Email Instant chat (e.g., MSN) Blackboard discussion form Other discussion forums Facebook or other social networking site Communicating with experts in your field Face to face Telephone Email Instant chat (e.g., MSN) Online discussion forms Facebook or other social networking site SMS texts Communicating with the seminar / study group Face to face Telephone Email Instant chat (e.g., MSN) Blackboard discussion form Other discussion forms Facebook or other social networking site SMS texts Communicating with course mates [fellow students] Face to face Telephone Email Instant chat (e.g., MSN) Blackboard discussion form Page 5 of 8

Online discussion form Facebook or other social networking site SMS texts 5.2 If you are a member of any online groups or forums that support a hobby or particular interest, please briefly explain the function and purpose of this group in the box.

5.3 If you read or make use of any blogs or wikis on a regular basis, please cite which blogs or wikis you make use of in the box.

5.4 If you use a social networking site (e.g., Facebook) on a regular basis, please briefly list below how / what purpose you use it for? Also please mention its name (E.g., Facebook, Linkedin, etc).

5.5 Please list any RSS feeds that you subscribe to.

5.6 What percentage of your online communications, including the use of mobile phone, relate to: (please estimate) Work and study Recreation, socialising % % ]

5.7 How many e-mail accounts (non university) do you have? [ 6. ABOUT THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS YOU USE

6.1 In your opinion, have digital communication tools (such as e-mail, text messages, instant messaging, social network sites): Yes 6. 1 6. 2 6. 3 6. 4 6. Decreased the amount of time you spend in face-to-face discussion with your tutors? Decreased the amount of time you spend in face-to-face discussion and on the phone with course-mates? Allowed a higher quality of discussion than is possible face-to-face? Allowed a higher quality of discussion than is possible on the telephone? Tended to distract you from your work? (please specify which ones) Page 6 of 8 No

5 6. 6 6. 7 Led to confusion and misunderstandings? (please specify which ones) Made you more inclined to / comfortable with contacting someone in a position of authority?

7. ABOUT THE DIGITAL TOOLS YOU USE TO ASSIST WITH ASPECTS OF YOUR WORK 7.1 Which five Internet-based tools, applications or software do you find yourself using most frequently during the course of your daily routine? (e.g., Facebook) Please list in order of priority (1 = most important) 1 (most important) 2 3 4 5 7.2 Which five Internet-based tools, applications, or software have you found most useful for assisting with aspects of your work? (e.g., Wikipedia) Please list in order of priority (1 = most important) 1 (most important) 2 3 4 5 7.3 In general do you think the software tools cited above (questions 7.1 and 7.2) have: Please tick the most appropriate response Yes Improved the quality of the work you are able to produce? Enabled you to perform tasks that you could not accomplish before? Improved the speed with which you can perform a task? Increased the amount of time that you engage with study related activities? Increased your motivation to work and study? Helped you acquire new skills? Resulted in a loss of a skill that you previously had? If yes, please specify here: 7.4 Do you find some difference between the grades you receive for coursework (e.g., essays) when you can use the digital tools (answered in 7.1 and 7.2) compared to the grades received for course work written in timed examinations? Please circle the appropriate response Yes / No 7.5 Do you think you would be able to produce work of comparable standard if such digital tools you have mentioned above were not available? Please circle the appropriate response Yes / No 7.6 Have you recently started using a new online tool (e.g., e-reader tool) to help you with aspects of your work? Yes / No Page 7 of 8 No

If yes, please describe briefly in the box provided

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7.7 Have you started using a online tool to help you with aspects of your work and subsequently decided not to use it? Yes / No If yes, please briefly describe in the box provided

7.8 Have you ever lost your digital files / data in the past year due to any of the following reasons? Please tick all that apply. Computer hard drive failure Theft of computer Loss of storage device Other (please specify) Please briefly describe the impact it had on your studies

7.9 Are you aware of any applications that you think might help you with aspects of your study that you do not use? If so please tell us about that tool and explain why you think it might help?

7.10 Do you have any hobbies or interests that require the use of online digital tools and / or digital hardware? Please tell us about them in the box provided

Would you be interested in us contacting you to take part in a face to face discussion to explore your responses, and in return receive a 10 music or book voucher? If so, please write your contact details below. This information will be treated confidentially and will be used solely for the purpose of contacting you. Email: number Mobile

Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Dr Tracy Simmons (tas11@le.ac.uk) and Dr Palitha Edirisingha (pe27@le.ac.uk)
This questionnaire was designed as part of the PELICANS research project by Dr Palitha Edirisingha and Dr Tracy Simmons. It was adapted from Francis, R.J., (2008) The Predicament of the Learner in the New

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Media Age, DPhil Thesis submitted to The University of Oxford. PELICANS website is available at: http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/beyond-distance-research-alliance/projects/pelicans

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