Rowland's e-learning pages

I have been looking at an article from the Educause Centre for Applied Research [ECAR] that has surveyed student’s use of IT in the States [local copy].

There are some interesting findings, some of which may be applicable to us at Worcester.

  1. Undergraduates live with abundance of technology and networks
    They use a combination of mobile phones, laptops and PDAs.
  2. Students look to IT for convenience and to make it easier to connect with others. They prefer IT in their courses but typically to a moderate degree
    25% - Limited - I prefer taking courses that use limited technology features (e.g., e-mail to instructors and limited use of PowerPoint in class).
    40% - Moderate - I prefer taking courses that use a moderate level of technology (e.g., e-mail, several PowerPoint presentations, some online activities or content).
    25% - Extensive - I prefer taking courses that use technology extensively (e.g., class lecture notes online, computer simulations, PowerPoint presentations, streaming video or audio, etc.).
  3. Male and female students are comfortable with a core set of technologies and less comfortable with with more specialised technology applications.
    Core technologies are such things as word processing, specialist are graphics or web pages.
  4. Students view technology in the classroom as supplemental to their course experience not as transformational
    Most students prefer some face to face contact. Positive IT experiences lead to more use. Higher preferences for IT in numerate disciplines
  5. Students employ “core” technologies widely and specialised technologies narrowly
  6. Curriculum and technology use are intertwined
  7. Students spend a lot of time on-line
  8. Technology permeates all aspects of student life, but its use as a tool has become paramount
  9. IT facilitates student communications and academic feedback
  10. Responding students think that IT is improving their learning but IT is being integrated inconsistently into courses.
  11. The technology in courses is helping
  12. Most students have used a Course Management System (CMS) and most have had positive experiences
  13. Students use a variety of CMS features
  14. A good experience with a CMS translates into positive feelings about IT and learning