ECAR

Project Aim

ECAR(educause center for applied research)

http://www.educause.edu/2011StudentStudy

Study of undergraduate students and information technology sheds lights on how information technology affects the college experience

Methodology

Online survey = 10 days June 2011

(using external company)

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERS1103/ESI11D.pdf

The 2011 study differs from past studies in that the questionnaire was reengineered and responses were gathered from a nationally representative sample of 3,000 students in 1,179 colleges and universities.(Has been doing undergrad study since 2004)

Main Findings

• Students are drawn to hot technologies, but they rely on more traditional devices
• Students report technology delivers major academic benefits
• Students report uneven perceptions of institutions' and instructors' use of technology
• Facebook generation students juggle personal and academic interactions
• Students prefer, and say they learn more in, classes with online components

Recommendations:

·         Investigate your students' technology needs and preferences and create an action plan to better integrate technology into courses and information systems.

·         Provide professional development opportunities and incentives so instructors can better use the technology they have.

• Expand or enhance students' involvement in technology planning and decision making.
• Meet students' expectations for anytime, everywhere, Wi-Fi access on the devices they prefer to use.
• Nail the basics. Help faculty and administrators support students' use of core productivity software for academic work

Commentary

The most recent report we have. Initially looks expansive, but the suggestion of 3,000 students from 1,000 institutions does make it seem less credible in some ways – that’s 3 students per institution. It is more far reaching though, and there is a body of data that they have built up over the years.