(Abstract)
The purpose of this study is to provide basic data on desirable computer utilization for kindergartners by investigating the present status of their computer utilization at home and how their mothers were involved in their computer activ...
(Abstract)
The purpose of this study is to provide basic data on desirable computer utilization for kindergartners by investigating the present status of their computer utilization at home and how their mothers were involved in their computer activity. This study set some research tasks as follows:
1) What is the present status of computer utilization of kindergartners at home?
1)-1 Is there any difference in current computer utilization of kindergartners in relation to their mothers' educational backgrounds?
1)-2 Is there any difference in current computer utilization of kindergartners in relationto the employment state of their mothers?
2) What is the present status of computer utilization of kindergartners and their mothers at home?
2)-1 Is there any difference in current computer utilization of kindergartners and their mothers in relation to the mothers' educational background?
2)-2 Is there any difference in the current computer utilization of kindergartners and their mothers in relation to the mothers' employment state?
3) What are the mothers' perceptions of increasing computer utilization efficiency of kindergartners?
3)-1 Is there any perception gap among mothers over increasing the efficiency of computer utilization of kindergartners at home according to their educational background?
3)-2 Is there any perception gap among mothers over increasing efficiency of computer utilization at home according to their employment state?
The subjects of this study consisted of 658 mothers of five-year-old children attending kindergartens located in Daegu, South Korea. The study analyzed questionnaires with SPAA 12.0, doing cross tabulation on each question according to the mothers' educational background and employment state. A chi-square analysis was also done.
Conclusions of the study are as follows:
First, regarding present status of computer utilization of kindergartners at home, appropriate computer surroundings are not available for kindergartners and a lack of information and proper software are obstacles. In addition, the higher the educational background of an kindergartener's mother, the more likely that family is to perform computer utilization in a family-shared place.
Second, regarding present status of computer utilization at home of kindergartners and their mothers, they not only perform computer-related activity but also visit Internet educational sites once or twice a week. Also, working mothers are less likely to spend time on the computer with children in a day.
Third, regarding the perception of mothers on increasing computer utilization efficiency of kindergarteners at home, the linkage between the concern between kindergarten and home represents a significant influence. Moreover, maintaining appropriate and varied educational software is necessary.