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Top1. Introduction
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be in a wide range of varied forms such as computer programs, the Internet, e-mail, instant messaging, computer projectors, scanners, webcam, interactive whiteboards or any type of digital learning resources. To this end, different studies on different aspects of ICT such as students’ ICT self-efficacy (Askar & Umay, 2001), the use of digital resources (López-Pérez, Pérez-López, & Argente-Linares, 2013; Maher, Phelps, Urane & Lee, 2012; Chen, Lambert & Guidry, 2010), the use of interactive whiteboards (Turel & Johnson, 2012), the difficulties teaching staff face with in using ICT (Turel, 2013; Buchanan, Sainter & Saunders, 2013; Seferoglu, 2007; Usluel & Seferoglu, 2004), the design of digital materials (Turel, 2014; Turel & McKenna, 2013; Turel, 2012) and human-ICT interaction and health (Yenilmez & Seferoglu, 2013; Bilge 2012; Altun & Cakan, 2006; Keser, 2005; Odabası, 2005; Ozden, Erturk & Sanlı, 2004) and so on have been conducted so far.
ICT has become integral to teaching and learning since the use of computers, the Internet and digital resources in and out of the classrooms (Park, Lee & Cheong, 2008). While ICT has been used at colleges in Turkey in the last two decades (Turel, 2013; Sırakaya & Seferoglu, 2013), some other countries began to use ICT five decades ago (Romeo, 2006). To use ICT more widely and efficiently, great investment and effort were made in some countries (Romeo, Lloyd & Downes, 2012; Balasubramanian et al., 2009; Becta, 2009). Even though the use, efficient use and the frequent use of ICT at college level can show significant differences not only among different countries (Maher et al., 2012; Yeung, Lim, Tay, Lam-Chiang, & Hui, 2012; Kregor, Breslin & Fountain, 2012; Kennedy et al., 2009), but also among different institutions in the same country, it is not wrong to claim that today ICT is used at all institutions in developed and developing countries. Even more and more institutions are using ICT to develop and deliver course materials (Hong & Lai, 2011). In fact, institutions and students do not have a choice whether to use ICT or not. They have to use ICT in order to be competitive in this digital age. Not only do today’s students, who are in general digitally fluent and competitive, use ICT, but they also expect ICT to be used more widely in teaching/learning (Duncan-Howell 2012). Accordingly, it is assumed that teaching should respond to such learning demands and differences to accommodate the digital-literate, wise and efficient learning style preferences (Duncan-Howell, 2012; Prensky, 2001). Although the use of ICT at college level by students is important, the use of the right digital resources and their efficient use are more vital. ICT has to be used selectively, efficiently and effectively (Yanpar Yelken, 2011). The successful use of ICT at college level is fully in the hands of institutions, teaching staff and students. If (a) colleges provide necessary structural factors (i.e., provision of the right hardware, efficient and pertinent digital materials and needed technical support), (b) tutors integrate ICT effectively and (c) students use ICT efficiently for the expected objectives, then it can be claimed that ICT is used in true-sense. Efficient use of ICT can lead to ICT self-efficacy, which features in perceived ICT usefulness and its perceived ease of use (Davis, 1993). According to Bandura (1997a, 1997b), who is a psychologist as well as a key theorist, self-efficacy is people’s own believes in their ability to succeed in specific situations and people with high self-efficacy are more likely to be successful. These are some of the factors that define whether students prefer to engage with various forms of ICT or not (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980).