A Model of Freshman Use of Microcomputers Related to Intellectual and Social Development

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between freshmen's use of microcomputers and their social and intellectual development in a university environment. A review of related literature describes the theoretical foundation of this research and identifies questionnaire items for measuring the critical variables of microcomputer use and student development. To conduct the study, data obtained from 400 freshman students prior to entering Utah State University (USU) in the fall of 1996 were compared to data collected from the same students during Spring Quarter of 1997. Correlational analysis was used to study changes in freshman students' use of microcomputers and variables known to predict studentsÍ social and academic integration into the institution. Regression analyses were used to identify variables and dimensions of microcomputer use that contributed to and detracted from students' intellectual and social development. (268 pages)

About the Author

Dr. Daniel R. Judd, Ph.D., M.P.A. obtained a doctorate in Business Information Systems and Education from Utah State University (USU) in 1999 and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Utah in 1990. He joined the Early Intervention Research Institute (EIRI) at the Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) at USU in 1995 as a Graduate Research Assistant. At EIRI, Dr. Judd turned his previous business experience toward improvement of public systems of services to disadvantaged families and those with children with disabilities. At EIRI, he has been Principal Investigator of a three-year investigation titled "Finding Utah’s Most In-Need Children" (1999-2002). He was Co-Principal Investigator of a statewide assessment of Ohio’s Early Intervention (EI) System (1999-2001). Dr. Judd is also working for the Head Start Region VIII Disability Services Quality Improvement Center where he is an Evaluation Specialist and writing grant proposals. He is teaching a seminar in Participatory Action Research as part of the Interdisciplinary Training Program of the CPD. He has presented research findings through non-refereed articles, as well as presentations at meetings and conferences. He maintains professional membership in the American Society for Quality and the International Association for Computer Information Systems. Dr Judd's professional strengths are in quality management, research design, and qualitative and quantitative methods of research and evaluation. Dr. Judd speaks Spanish and is working at improving health care for Hispanic and American Indian communities for reduced health disparities and increased health care access. He has experience in developing standardized procedures for collecting stakeholder data including interview and focus group protocols, and has had experience in constructing and administering surveys based on qualitative data contributed by stakeholders.