Academic Technology Blogs

Educause has completed the 2011 ECAR National Study on Undergraduate Students and Information Technology. They also have a nice visualization to illustrate their key findings.

Some interesting tidbits:

• Students say they learn more in blended learning environments
• 39% of students wish their instructors used e-mail more often
• 32% wish their instructors used a course or learning management system more often
• 39% of students believe their skill level in using e-textbooks do not meet their needs
• Technology can make learning a more immersive, engaging, and relevant experience. An average of 33 percent of students “strongly agree” with statements about the benefits of technology to make learning more creative and more applicable to real life and post graduation plans—and to elevate teaching.
• 37% of students used smartphones for academics in the past year. Only 11% use iPads.
• Surprising Numbers of Students Lack Confidence in Their Core Software Skills—and They Want Specialized Skills

There are several good recommendations in the full report (http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERS1103/ERS1103W.pdf). UW-Madison is on track with some of these recommendations. For example, the IT Strategic Plan (3.3) Implement a Technology Literacy Program for students, Software Training for Students, and various interdepartmental professional development opportunities for faculty, to name just a few.

What are your own experiences of how UW-Madison aligns with the recommendations in the report?

See the nicely done visualization of the 2011 ECAR National Study on Undergraduate Students and Information Technology  at
http://www.educause.edu/studentsAndTechnologyInfographic