The Study of Students Perceptions of On-campus ... - Research Bank

devices had increased dramatically over the last few years. With the
popularity of the on-campus WLANs, more and more students bring their
own wireless-capable electronic devices on campus and use these electronic
devices to get on the Internet any time any where. The desire to use the
on-campus WLANs has meant that portable electronic devices with wireless
capability have become common equipment for learning. As Brass (2004)
agreed, the “laptop had become must-have for today’s college students” and
the purchase of portable electronic devices increases their budget for school.
Similarly Nisbet (2004) stated that students in some private schools were
required to carry laptops to school. The potential risks to security and safety
for those students carrying portable electronic devices were not only virus
infection and privacy violation, but also damage to or loss of those expensive
electronic devices.
The researcher believes the impact of the use of on-campus WLANs is
two-way. The on-campus WLANs provide students with an extra learning
mode. Also, the use of on-campus WLANs makes education institutes provide
better facilities and learning environments to students. As Internet usage
becomes more common everyday requirement for students, got on campus
WLANs provision means they don’t have to separate their personal, work and
study requirements for Internet access.
5.6 The opportunities for educational institutions
to provide convenience of WLANs for students
5.6.1. Current advantage of the convenience of the WLANs
According to the data gathered from interviews, there were many benefits.
Mobility and free Internet access were the most attractive benefits for the
users of on-campus WLANs. Mobility was also the reason why most students
chose to use on-campus WLANs. It showed that the convenience of the
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