6. Computer culture and distance education: student position in the Aragua School Bioanalysis. University of Carabobo

Abstract

The present research has as objective to explore the information technology culture as well as the position regarding the possibility of offering online subjects in the field of Bioanalysis at the University of Carabobo (Aragua). The study was exploratory because it was directed to research a scarcely studied issue from the perspective of its main characters, supported on the quantitative approach in a transversal and field design, but also considering qualitative additional information. Subjects providing information were 33 students. Among the most relevant findings, it was found that almost all the students have access to computers and the Internet in their homes; they are partially alphabetized in terms of knowledge and management of information technology tools; they expressed a positive opinion regarding the incorporation of some subjects in the distance learning modality. The main advantages and disadvantages were found to be both economic and academic which revealed a pragmatic concept of education. It was concluded that students’ statements show that information and communication technology (ICT) are underused in the teaching-learning process. It seems that professors and institutional officials have not responded to the challenge of incorporating ICT in the studied context with the quality of information and communication society demands nowadays.