Re-visiting college students' attitudes toward the Internet-based on a 6-T model: Gender and grade level difference

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to propose a 6-T model (Tool, Toy, Telephone, Territory, Treasure of Information, and Trade) to explore college students' Internet-related attitudes, and to examine whether gender and grade level make any difference in their attitudes. Data from 1069 participants were collected from 96 Taiwanese universities and colleges. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis validated the proposed 6-T model and shows that it can well explain the 6-T factors. Each T's magnitude of path coefficient shows that for these college students, the most recognized factors were Tool and Toy, followed by Treasure of information. Territory, and Trade, and that the least weighted factor was Telephone. Male students seem to have had a more positive attitude toward the Internet-related Toy and Telephone dimensions than did female students, and graduate students seem to have had a more positive attitude toward the Internet-related Tool, Information, and Trade dimensions than did undergraduate students. This study discusses limitations, future research directions, and implications for college educators and administrators. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.