Present-day tertiary education is inextricably linked with the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). The objective of their implementation is creating a modern educational environment. As Zounek and Šeďová say, “the way of utilizing ICT at schools depends on the needs and capabilities of actors in teaching, on educational goals and contents, and also on the nature of the educational environment, whereas its primary principle is the efficient organization of teaching and learning” (Zounek, Šeďová, 2009, p. 15).  The article presents initiatory results of a research that examines the students’ perception of the ICT applications in connection with the course of their studies. The research focuses primarily on social and pedagogical aspects of ICT utilization. In this context it has been confirmed that ICT cannot be perceived as something that exists outside the general educational environment; we need to think about this device in both general and specific connections which are bound to a particular educational institution. The research attempts to uncover these connections at the Faculty of Arts of the Masaryk University, and aims to describe the position of students in the tertiary education in a general educational environment, which is defined as the space where the learning process is being managed. This process embodies physical, ergonomic and above all psychosocial parameters (Průcha, 2001). The article aims to answer the question what needs, opportunities and overall character of the educational environment reflect the way ICT is being used in the tertiary education. The research is neither intended to examine the instrumentary usage of ICT in education, nor it aims to analyse the overall school climate. The research question is narrowed to observing what is important for students in connection with the course of their studies. Respondents of the research are the final year students or recent graduates who can bring a picture of what students undertake during their tertiary education, how do they adapt to the educational environment and its resources (particularly ICT), and what influences their studies — what is meaningful from the students’ perspective, what is perceived negatively and what strategies and defence mechanisms are being applied. The research is supported by a grant fund of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University.

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