Relationship of ubiquitous technology usage and competency among engineering undergraduates

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present part of a study done related to the use of Ubiquitous Technology (UTech) among undergraduates in technical university. In specific, the objectives of the study were to (i) identify the level of U-Tech usage among the undergraduates, (ii) determine the undergraduates’ U-Tech competency level and (iii) determine whether there was a significant relationship between U-Tech usage and U-Tech competency. A total of 101 undergraduates from five faculties were randomly selected. The study employed the survey method in which the data were gathered through a 5 point-Likert scale questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 8 items (demographic information), 42 items (U-Tech usage) and 42 items (U-Tech competency) with the reliability of 0.958 for U-Tech usage and 0.971 for U-Tech competency. Data were analyzed descriptively (mean, percentage, frequency and standard deviation), and inferentially (Pearson correlation). The findings of this study revealed that majority of the undergraduates were at high level of U-Tech usage (mean = 4.39, SD = .895). Also found, the undergraduates had high level of U-Tech competency (mean = 4.12, SD= .764). In addition, results demonstrated that there was a significant relationship between U-Tech usage and U-Tech competency (r = 0.456, p < 0.01).