The effect of Internet usage on technology comprehension of physics students: A case study

Our era, in which knowledge is rapidly renewed and reproduced, makes for the future of the individuals as well as the society information access, usage, and production obligatory. Following the most recent developments in science and technology and making the best use of them is a precondition of a modern society and is relevant to the society in large.

According to the findings of the study:

There was no statistically significant relation between physics students’ internet usage and their gender. Although there was not any statistically significant relation between physics students’ internet usage and their grades, it was the highest in the 1st graders decreasing towards the upper grades,
No statistically significant relation was determined between physics students’ internet usage and their former graduation school types. There was no significant relation between physics students’ internet usage and paternal educational background.
There was no statistically significant relation between physics students’ internet usage and their mobile phone usage periods,
No statistically significant relation was determined between physics students’ internet usage and the answers they provided to the question “What kind of a wave is transmitted in wired telephones?”
No statistically significant relation was determined between physics students’ internet usage and the answers they provided to the question “What kind of a wave is transmitted in mobile phones?”
No statistically significant relation was found between physics students’ internet usage and the answers they provided to the question “What kind of a wave is transmitted in fiber optic cables?”
No statistically significant relation was found between physics students’ internet usage and the answers they provided to the question “What kind of a wave is transmitted to the human body by means of ultrasonography devices?”
No statistically significant relation was found between physics students’ internet usage and the answers they provided to the question “What kind of a wave or ray is employed in tomography devices?”
No statistically significant relation was found between physics students’ internet usage and the answers they provided to the question “What kind of a wave or ray is employed in MR devices?”

According to the result of the present study, following implications can be made;

Necessary regulations are to be made in school curriculums in order to enable students understand and use highly developed technology and to comply with innovations. Applied Physics Course should be given within the curriculum of physics department. The use of physics in technology is to be highlighted within this course.
Education enabling all individuals gain the competences projected by recent technologic enhancements is to be provided. Technology education in our schools is to be redesigned by taking International technology education association (ITEA) criteria into consideration.
Elective courses including content knowledge subjects are to be in incorporated into the curriculum of university students. They should be enabled to have theoretical knowledge about technological applications practically by asking why and how.
Research projects related with technology should be given to the physics department students at the Science Faculty.
A connection should be provided between the course subject and daily life by giving examples from daily life in all science courses from primary school to university.