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Variation in Parent Use of Information and Communications Technology: Does Quantity Matter?
Author(s) -
Walker Susan K.,
Dworkin Jodi,
Connell Jessica
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
family and consumer sciences research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 1077-727X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1552-3934.2011.02098.x
Subject(s) - information and communications technology , variation (astronomy) , variety (cybernetics) , the internet , psychology , information technology , marketing , social psychology , business , computer science , world wide web , physics , astrophysics , artificial intelligence , operating system
Although the availability of new information and communication technologies (ICT) may be revolutionizing learning, an understanding of how parents use these innovations is still emerging. Using online survey data from 1,653 parents across the United States, this study identified nine subgroups of parent technology users on dimensions that included their online activity frequency, devices they were using, and their attitude toward technology. Subgroups ranged from those who did a variety of activities daily, used many different devices, and had a positive attitude, to those who infrequently accessed technology, used few types of technology, and had a negative attitude. Further subgroup comparisons reveal few demographic differences characterizing technology use. However, clear differences in constraints and attitude suggest the need for assessing variations in and expanding conceptualizations of technology behavior before designing programs that rely on the Internet for delivery.