Reading About What Students Want and Will Need in the 21st Century

Reflections from Jo Munroe . . .

Recently, the Educause Center for Applied Research  released its 2012 Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology. Because the study is about you and your experiences, I though that I would summarize it here and invite you to read my brief summary of what it says and to comment or  to ask questions in this forum. The study I reference here, is a study to inform higher ed folks (your instructors, eLearning support folks, your VPs and Presidents) about which technologies you prefer to use for learning, how strong your abilities to use those technologies and resources are  and what you feel about what technology adds to  (or subtracts from) your instructors' effectiveness. All of this is supposed to help us to meet you where you are and help to move you to where you want (need) to be  in terms of your educational and lifelong learning plans.

The report describes you as reflective and curious, but not interested in the new just because it is new. Here are some of the observations (loosely paraphrased) from the study:

1. You like blended learning (face-to-face mixed with online components) best  . . . if you had to choose. You enjoy this form of learning and you think that you learn best this way.
2. You don't really care that much about new, trendy technologies, but you like technology when it is used well to help you to achieve your learning goals.
3. You want more technology training and skill development for using technology . . .You think that this is more valuable than new, more or "better" technology.
4. In terms of the technology you own, you have moved away from desktop computers and feature cellphones and PDAS to laptops . . .and smartphones . . .and tablets and e-readers. You want the option to use these and the training to leverage them for academic purposes.
5. It is not true that all of you have high degrees of technical expertise . . . nor do you really want us to use social networking tools for classroom purposes. You like interacting with your friends on Facebook . . . Interacting with your teachers this way? . . . Meh . . .not-so-much.
6.   You want to interact with your instructors more . . .  face-to-face, via your course management system (like through Canvas, for example). And, while you like instant messaging and online chatting, you really do not enjoy social networking sites and telephone chats as ways to interact with your instructors.
7. You expect us to know how to use technology to engage you in the learning process, and you appreciate our guidance and encouragement about how to get started in  matching technology with teaching and learning needs. If we gave you the opportunity, you would create and present more frequently.
8. While you do wish that we would use more open educational resources and more simulations and educational games, in general, you are pretty pleased with how we are introducing and using technology in the classroom (Yay!) You think that (in general) we have adequate technology skills, that we use technology well in terms of helping you to understand course materials and that we use the "right kinds" of technology effectively.
9. You like  a continuum - deconstructed learning spaces - that push the boundaries of the classroom and give you time to reflect . . .You do not skip class when lecture components are put online. You like blended learning.
10. You would like more technology training that relates directly to succeeding in your courses . . . Just as your instructors, though, you favor on-demand problem resolution with technology rather than formal, organized trainings. 

That's what the report says . . . You can read it for yourself by searching : ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, 2012  . . .I hope that you will.