International students' lived experiences seeking ICT assistance: Just click here

• Main Author: Tannis, Derek
• Other Authors: Nicol, Jennifer
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: University of Saskatchewan 2010
• Subjects: instructional design; information and communications technology; international students; learning communities; phenomenology; philosophy of technology
• Online Access: http://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-08252010-201811/

This thesis explores the lived meaning of requiring, requesting and receiving information and communications technology (ICT) assistance for international students with limited or no background with ICT. The anecdotes and reflections shared by the participants delve into a range of feelings, from uncertainty, distress and condescension to fascination, determination and affirmation. They reach into places where the participants built their sense of competence and potential with and through ICT and felt indebted to their help providers in the process. The participants help seeking with ICT emerged as being a self-conscious search for discrete, non-judgmental, patient demonstration and guided practice, reliant upon the formation of reciprocal, helping relations with others. As a phenomenological study involving 10 participants, analysis sought for depth of meaning, contemplated in relation to philosophy, literature, art and personal experience. The theme of being lost in the logic of ICT and the maze of help seeking in a foreign environment emerge as a potent metaphor to guide tactful ICT help provision in diverse, post-secondary institutions marked by ubiquitous ICT integration.