Gen Y, not so Bleeding Edge: The use of information technology in university teaching

Abstract

This paper investigates the adoption of bleeding edge technology by GenY university students. This technology was in a form of interactive feedback using mobile ‘phones called ‘ClickOn’. The factors considered in regards to technology adoption are trialability, observability, complexity and compatibility. Additional issues more specifically related to student engagement and attendance were also investigated. It was found that students in this cohort were reticent to adopt the technology in their learning environment. This is in contradiction to the current literature and society’s general expectation. These findings may alert educators to possible unexpected barriers when utilising new technologies to improve student academic outcomes and as such will be of interest to university educators.