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New Study Reveals Student Perspective on Technology Use in Higher Education

College students believe that technology has a direct impact on their academic performance, according to findings from a new student-driven study out of the Lone Star College System. In “The National Lone Star Report on Aligning Technology with Student Success,” 78 percent of college students reported that their grades and learning experience are improved when technology is effectively and consistently implemented on their campus.

The Report is a compilation of survey data collected from more than 6,000 students on 36 campuses across the country. Focused exclusively on two-year colleges, the study also included analysis of more than 1.5 million helpdesk inquiries from 55 institutions. The student-led initiative is the first of its kind, according to LSCS vice chancellor and CIO Shah Ardalan.

"'The National Lone Star Report on Aligning Technology with Student Success' will allow college administrators access to the collective voice of American students and it provides invaluable data on students' needs, desires and dreams, and how technology can help them achieve these goals," Ardalan said in a prepared statement.

Key findings in the report reflect students' desire for reliable, effective technology that is used consistently by instructors: 

  • Colleges should not implement technology for the sake of technology;
  • When technology is deployed, make sure that it works; and
  • Faculty members need to know how to use the technology and they should actually use it.

While students believe technology is integral to their learning success, the report showed that they do not simply want more technology--they want the right technology. Students want systems and applications that serve their needs, support learning, and work properly "without getting in the way." Students expressed frustration with non-working technologies that waste time and money.

"Technology, when effectively used, strongly impact[s] my ability to learn," one respondent noted. "However, when it is not used properly or [is used] inefficiently it is very much a distraction and annoyance."

The National Lone Star Report was based on interviews and surveys from students at rural and metro-area community college campuses throughout the United States. The report will be produced annually and is available for free download to participating colleges. For additional information, visit lonestar.edu/nationalstudentreport.

About the Author

Kanoe Namahoe is online editor for 1105 Media's Education Group. She can be reached at knamahoe@1105media.com.

Comments

Wed, Oct 12, 2011

Interesting that we do not get to see the report. What they are letting us see, is nothing new under the sun. I am disheartened that they charge for this report as it does need to be peer reviewed. But fear not this is the day of technology and it will not surprise me that a copy of this can be found on the net in blog or website soon. Researcher Of Higher Education

Wed, Oct 12, 2011 Peg Public U in the Mountain West

Thad complains about having to pay $1000 to read the report. I object to paying even $500 from another institution. It would be different if the "Executive Summary" were actually an executive summary rather than a sales pitch. As it is, all we know about the study is what its developers choose to release. The producers of this report are obviously persuaded of its value (hence the cost), but it would be good to have it vetted in the court of professional opinion. Obviously the open resources movement has passed these folks by.

Tue, Oct 4, 2011 John Chicago

As a co-founder of an Ed-Tech startup, I've learned first hand, the barriers of adopting technology in the classroom. I also know how demanded it is among students though, so it's great to see reports like this. Hopefully teachers will begin to adopt technology on a wider scale. If anyone is interested in a simple, effective tool to improve student engagement in the classroom sign up for a free account at http://gosoapbox.com/ref/external_blog

Tue, Oct 4, 2011

This study, while pretty much useless, is just telling people going into the computer field to not lose sight of the big picture. They job will not to be to turn other people into computer geeks (as every IT department I've worked for seems to try to do). The IT department is the bastard child of a company - a necessary evil. The gal in legal, accounting, or anywhere else just needs her stuff to work. She doesn't care why or how it works, just that it does. Think about your car or wrist watch. Don't you expect your mechanic to make it work without having to tell you the internal workings of an internal combustion engine? IT in the real world has lost sight of this kind of thought.

Tue, Oct 4, 2011

How insightful. Next you'll be telling me that a cigarette sale to benefit lung cancer research is a bad idea. This just confirms my theory that electronic consumerism will hit a wall. It already gets in the way for most people - how much useful time is wasted on FaceBook telling people what you had for lunch?

Mon, Oct 3, 2011 Thad McIlroy San Francisco

Not wishing to diminish the achievement, but as an outsider I'm not motivated to pay them $1,000 to read a report with key findings that "reflect students' desire for reliable, effective technology that is used consistently by instructors" and then the real breakthrough: "Colleges should not implement technology for the sake of technology" (nor should anyone) "When technology is deployed, make sure that it works" (Stop using the stuff that doesn't work) "Faculty members need to know how to use the technology and they should actually use it." (Wow, radical) Perhaps the detail of the report is more revealing. Alas, I will never know.

Mon, Oct 3, 2011 Shanath Kumar Bangalore

I am interested in Online Education

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