An analyse of information technology usage lesson in higher education according to students? needs (Case study of Akdeniz University)

The aim of this study was to research into the Use of Information Technologies course (ITU) in accordance with the needs of students, which was introduced in 2011-2012 Academic Year Fall Term and the context of which was renovated as a part of Bologna Process (BP) studies at Akdeniz University (AU).1770 freshmen at AU took part in this research, in which general scanning model was used. As a data collection tool, ITU course needs identification scale, which was developed by the researcher was used.In the process of data analysis, descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency, standard deviation, mean) were used in order to analyse the sub-dimensions of the scale, and inferential statistics (MANOVA) were used during the analysis of independent variables according to sub-dimensions. Content analysis was used for the answers to the open-ended question in the last part of the data collection tool.As a result of the analysis performed, it was found out that students respectively need sub-dimensions of basic skills to use operating systems, package program applications and the Internet effectively, to design personal web sites and to prepare presentation materials.It was observed that the needs of female students for using the Internet effectively and preparing presentation materials in their sub-dimensions were higher than those of male students, while the needs of male students for designing personal web sites in sub-dimensions was higher than that of female students.It was also found out that the needs of students who took computer courses during primary and/or secondary school to use operating systems, package programme applications and the Internet effectively in sub-dimensions were higher than those who did not take those courses during primary and/or secondary school.It was seen that the needs of students who did not take computer courses before ITU to prepare presentation materials in sub-dimension were higher than those who took computer courses before ITU.In addition, it was understood that students needed to learn to get computers ready to use, the ways of using them effectively and some drawing and visual designing programmes.Key Words: The Use of Information Technologies Course, The Use of Basic Information Technologies Course, computer literacy in higher educationKey Words: The Use of Information Technologies Course, The Use of Basic InformationTechnologies Course, computer literacy in higher education