Students’ Social Representations of ICT at UJLOG, Côte d’Ivoire

In the context of higher education in Côte d’Ivoire, this study examines the extent to which Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) influence students’ academic achievement and how these tools are perceived and mobilized in their university experience. The objective is to analyze students’ social representations of ICT at Jean Lorougnon Guédé University (UJLOG) in order to better understand how these technologies are interpreted and integrated into academic practices. To address this research problem, a mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a quantitative survey conducted with more than 600 students and qualitative interviews with 35 participants. The findings indicate that most students hold a generally positive perception of ICT and that these representations significantly shape their academic use. Two relationships are particularly noteworthy: perceived usefulness of ICT varies according to the type of program (on-campus or distance learning) and the students’ professional status. These results highlight that, beyond material access, perceptions and attitudes are key determinants of ICT appropriation. The study thus contributes to advancing the understanding of technology integration in higher education in Côte d’Ivoire and underscores important implications for educational policies aimed at reducing inequalities and enhancing student success.