The influence of computer experience and field of study on green ccomputing knowledge among university students in Uganda

Abstract

One of the challenges of the 21st century is how to control human activities that increase global warming. Unlike some scientific challenges that are a concern of a particular group of people, reducing global warming is a duty to all humans in their respective capacities. It is no longer a challenge to the developed countries only but also developing nations at different levels. Students contribute to global carbon emissions through unsustainable computing practices. Green computing advocates for sustainable use of computing resources to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint. This study sought to ascertain the levels of knowledge for green computing among students from a private university in Uganda. It also sought to determine whether computer experience (in years) and field of study influenced objective knowledge and the three dimensions of subjective knowledge i.e. vocabulary, e-waste management and nature of computers. The study involved 452 undergraduate students of Islamic University in Uganda purposively sampled from four faculties. They were grouped as ICT and non-ICT, and Low and High experience students. The findings revealed low levels of green computing knowledge among students. Field of study and computer experience influenced objective knowledge in favour of ICT and highly experienced students respectively. However, only vocabulary and nature of computers were influenced by the two categorical variables. It is recommended that the government increases green computing awareness among students and the general public through open campaigns and inculcating Green ICTs in their educational curricula, including pre-university levels.