INTERNET AS AN INFORMATION SOURCE: ATTITUDES AND USAGE OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE COURSE

With Internet usage in the United States hitting an all-time high information technology use in education has continued to increase. Many college students have described the Internet as a functional tool that helps them to communicate with professors, do research, and access library materials. As more and more students and educators are envisioning the Internet as a source for information to be used in the classroom, it is important that we monitor students' attitudes and usage. As educators we need to ensure students know how to use technology effectively by recognizing credible sources and utilizing the correct technology for each situation. This study utilizes a descriptive survey to understand the current usage and attitudes toward the Internet by students enrolled in college of agriculture courses at a large Southeastern Land-Grant University. Findings indicate that these students are heavy users of the Internet and programs like Facebook, MySpace, and search engines. Students indicate believing that the Internet is easy to understand, important, beneficial, believable, and accurate. Recommendations are offered as to what these findings mean for instructors in the classroom.