Access, time and purposes of use of digital technologies in Chilean teacher-training students

Abstract

This research intends to analyze access, time and purpose of use (academic, recreational and social) of digital technologies in Chilean teacher-training students. It was also examined, if being an academic user is associated with sociodemographic, academics and self-directed learning variables. The analysis of the answers provided by 546 participants in the questionnaires revealed high level of access to equipment and digital resources. Meanwhile WhatsApp and Facebook concentrate a higher social use, YouTube is prioritized in recreational activities, and Google search engine in academic use. It was found a higher number of woman in the category academic users. Being an academic user of digital technologies, in both sexes, is linked with higher levels of self-directed learning. These results support the need to prepare more and better academic users, able to take the advantages that digital technologies offer, in order to get a better initial teacher education.