Students' attitudes toward internet use and feelings of connectedness in their graduate programs at a rural university

This study examined students' attitudes toward Internet use and their feelings of connectedness in their graduate programs at a rural university. Faculty and staff should find ways for graduate students both on- and off-campus to make connections with others to enhance students' learning experiences, combat feelings of isolation and anonymity, and increase completion rates. The advancement of the Internet and Web 2.0 technologies (e.g., Facebook, Skype) have provided ways for students both on- and off-campus to communicate and collaborate in order to make connections. However, students' attitudes toward the Internet may relate to their feelings of connectedness. This study was interested in the examination at how students at a rural university, where Internet access and infrastructure may be limited, responded to questions and statements about Internet attitudes and connectedness. The research questions included: What are graduate students' attitudes toward the use of the Internet? What are graduate students' feelings of connectedness? What are the relationships between attitudes toward Internet use and feelings of connectedness? Are there individual differences in students' attitudes of Internet use and feelings of connectedness such as gender, age, and majors/programs? (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).