Home PublicationsJRTEPast IssuesVolume 36 Number 3

	Edited by Dr. Lynne Schrum, University of Utah
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

Volume 36 Number 3 Spring 2004

Digital Unity and Digital Divide: Surveying Alumni to Study Effects Of a Campus Laptop Initiative
Seth Finn
Robert Morris University
John G. Inman
Grove City College

Abstract
This research study assessed the effects of an information technology initiative on undergraduates at a Western Pennsylvania college. A random sample of alumni from the classes of 1997, 1998, and 2000 were surveyed to gauge their attitudes about a technology program instituted in 1994, which provided laptop computers to all incoming freshman. The results indicated that not only was there a positive change in attitudes after the program was initiated, but digital divides based on sex and field of study were diminished during the students’ time on campus. Interestingly, parts of the divide reappear after graduation, by field of study.

Contributors
Seth Finn is a professor of communications and information systems at Robert Morris University. His recent research focuses on the effects of personality on mass media and computer use. John G. Inman is registrar at Grove City College. His doctoral research is an assessment of the Information Technology Initiative begun at Grove City College in the fall of 1994.

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Contact
Seth Finn
School of Communications and Information Systems
Robert Morris University
6001 University Boulevard
Moon Township, PA 15232
finn@rmu.edu

Copyright © 2004, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.