Educating Communities: Technology issues

Abstract

This paper relates to phase one of a work in progress of a three phase study. This first phase covers the survey of a learning community at an institute of technology. The subject area chosen for this was the e-Learners’ understanding of computer networks and their security. The authors’ first attempt was to identify how much e_Learners comprehend about computer networks and their security, covering fraud, identity theft etc? To obtain a realistic appraisal of this, the authors conducted a survey among their students, results of which have been analyzed in this paper. The survey results show that majority of students have computer(s) at home and many of them have broadband connectivity too. About 67% of the participants have multiple computers networked together to share computing resources. The survey results showed that only 60% participant can fix their computer / network problems. Seventy eight percent of the participants were aware of security issues. However, on an average only 22% of the participants were taking appropriate measures to mitigate the problem on a regular basis. Based on the analysis of the survey results in phase one, authors intend to develop an intranet website with relevant information in phase two. A follow up survey would be taken up in phase three.