Learning at the university through technology-mediated activities ( El aprendizaje universitario a través de actividades mediadas por tecnologías )

Abstract

The current demands of the digital society are conditioned by the use of technologies. In the current situation, it is necessary to rethink formal higher education, in order to centre the leading role of the process on the students and to complement the formal offer with other types of learning and skills acquired in non-formal and informal contexts. The purpose of this study is to analyse the technology-mediated activities carried out by students at the National University of Costa Rica. A quantitative, non-experimental and transactional design has been carried out, using the PLEAS scale, with a sample of 1,187 final year students from 51 university degrees. The data show an intense use of ICT for activities related to accessing information, a moderate use for creating content and, to a lesser extent, for sharing information. The importance of training in technology for the use and development of personal learning environments is highlighted. It is recommended to recognize complementary inputs from informal and non-formal settings to benefit students’ personal and professional skills.