The scope of the study
27,317 students/98 colleges and universities - majority being under 25 (78.8%), attending a four year course (87.8%), full-time (84.0%)
The research questions the authors focused on
Ownership of laptops
Internet-capable phones
Student technology skill level
Social Networking Sites
Instructors use of IT in courses
The methods used to capture the data
literature review and review of other relevant surveys
quantitative web-based survey
student focus groups
analysis of qualitative data
comparison to previous survey data
The overarching findings
Increase in laptops (2006 - 65.9 < 2008 - 82.2)
Decrease in desktops (2006 - 71.0 > 2008 - 51.2)
Increase in use of SNSs (2006 - 74.8 < 2008 - 88.8)
1. Students perceive that more instructors need to use IT effectively in courses
2. Students value f2f instruction - year after year
3. SNSs are much-used and valued by students
4. Students are increasingly mobile
5. Students expect IT to be available
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Kennedy et al. (2006) ‘Questioning the net generation: a collaborative project in Australian higher education’
The scope of the study
2120 students - represented 27.2% of first year students, analyses for this study were restricted to students born after 1980 (n = 1973; 25.3% of first year students) to highlight the 'Net Generation'
The research questions the authors focused on
Demographic information
Access to hardware and the Internet
Use of and skills with technology based tools
Preferences for the use of technology based tools in University studies.
The methods used to capture the data
A four page questionnaire asked students about their access to, use of, skills with, and preferences for an array of established and emerging technologies and technology based tools.
The overarching findings
While some students have embraced the technologies and tools of the ‘Net Generation’, this is by no means the universal student experience.
..the widespread revision of curricula to accommodate the so-called Digital Natives does not seem warranted and, moreover, it would be difficult to start “Adapting materials to the language of Digital Natives”
a diverse range of skills exist across the student population
familiarity with the use of email does not imply expertise in rigorous online debate and discussion
Clearly we cannot assume that being a member of the ‘Net Generation’ is synonymous with knowing how to employ technology based tools strategically to optimise learning
This study clearly provides sufficient evidence to negate the ‘one size fits all’ approach to the integration of ICTs into university curricula.
While these figures in no way suggest a moratorium on the use of podcasting, they do indicate the need to provide appropriate support for students.
a number of promising opportunities for integrating innovative technologies into university curricula.
also want to use it in their studies? [...] the answer seems to be ‘Yes’.
Evidence of who our students are must remain an important factor in informing how we use the array of technological tools at our disposal to design rich and engaging learning experiences for all students.
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How does the study compare with the ECAR study?
The two come to quite similar conclusions; that there are skills there for core technologies. The ECAR study seemed a little more encouraging in it's 'tone' than the Kennedy study which seemed a little more critical in 'tone'.
The USA study covered a larger study group
Are similar findings emerging?
There are certain niches where students are working at advanced levels - SNSs, and Podcasts. Ultimately though there is not enough advanced knowledge across the board to warrant the full scale changing of a curriculum to suit a minority.
Care must be taken to use the appropriate technology in the appropriate situation to enable it to be of benefit to the institution, the tutor, and the learner.
Students doing academic courses did not favour IT or online courses.
Are there any differences in what is being reported for students in the USA compared with those in Australia?
The Australians seems more prepared to use IT to replace some of the existing methods whereas the US, despite having a large percentage of IT ownership (and implied usage) still feel that F2F has it's benefit in an academic course.
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