Joint Information Systems Committee

Student ExpectationsCharles Hutchings, JISC

Joint Information Systems Committee Supporting education and research

Joint Information Systems Committee

STUDENT LIFECYLE

HIGHER EDUCATIONSCHOOL/COLLEGE/

(FE)

Learner experience

projects 2007-9

LEX

Learner Scoping

Study

SPIRE Project

Becta FE Learners

Study SOLE

NSS

HE AcademyLearner

experience projects?

LSN Listening to

Learners

GAP?

Background

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Background

JISC/Ipsos MORI, June 2007

Expectations of ICT at university

16-18 year old university hopefuls

Preliminary research

Survey of 501 students – quantitative and qualitative

Some key findings and implications…

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Student Expectations Study Part 1

Findings Implications

Difficulty in discussing expectations

• Overall uncertainty

• Hard to project beyond current experience

• Expect ICT to play bigger role but unclear how

Digital natives

• Immersed in technology

• Implicit understanding of technology & its use; socially & in classroom

• Core part of social engagement

• Ubiquitous internet access is norm

• Do consider ICT provision when applying

Don’t overestimate their understanding of university when

explaining how ICT fits in

Perceive ICT improving learning through more access rather than

new methods of T&L or interaction

Have a basic level of inherent expectation for ICT provision

Need clear information on how ICT will be used in T&L

Sophisticated at evaluating benefits of new technologies

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Student Expectations Study Part 1

Findings Implications

Make widespread use of social networking and Web 2.0

• 65% reg use sites, only 5% never

• 62% use wikis, blogs or online networks

• Few (21%) pat of online community (e.g. 2nd Life)

• Sceptical to see how social networking could be used as learning tool

• Cautious of publishing/sharing coursework online for public scrutiny

Technology is very important socially but not substitution for

f2f interaction

Expect unlimited access to & use of uni’s systems/network –

bandwith issues?

Need clarity about uni’s stance in use of such technologies on their

systems/networks

Need to know/understand how social networking tools relate to

learning if to be used

Joint Information Systems Committee

Student Expectations Study Part 1

Findings Implications

Strongly value f2f interaction in T&L

• Traditional methods of L&T seen as neither hierarchical nor outmoded

• Perceive personal f2f interaction as backbone of their learning

• But, don’t fully understand how ICT & learning can work together outside school context

Not constantly looking for new technologies to incorporate into

their lives – need palpable benefit

Steer clear of assumption that new technology is automatically

youth friendly

Need more information about how it can help in daily lives

Know when technology is being used for its own sake

• Adept at evaluating different ICT options when presented

• Use it as means of doing other things, not as replacement or as end in itself

• Flexible & ready to accommodate new technologies if they can see benefits

Don’t expect technology to encroach on what they see as key benefits from uni – interaction &

learning

Need clarity on how & why new techniques & technologies can be

used to compliment T&L

Opinions may change once experience university?

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Phase 2

To explore:

– experiences of using ICT in social, learning and teaching environments at university

– whether prior expectations have been met

CohortSurvey of 1,000

first year studentsQuantitative(Online survey)

Qualitative(4 online discussion groups)

Depth, insight, understanding

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Areas we will be exploring

What kinds ICT of are they using and how

– In social, learning and teaching environments

– Formal and informal practices

– Degree to which they choose vs are required to use these technologies

– Which are really valued, preferred

Where are they accessing internet/networks from

Use of Web 2.0; Google, social networking sites

– Whether used in teaching & learning

– Attitudes towards lecturers/tutors ‘invading their space’

Perceived support

Use of systems to support non-academic activities

Perceived benefits of ICT

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Areas we will be exploring

Whether prior expectations have been realised

– Do they have the ICT provision expected?

– Is it simply more ICT provision or are different methods being used?

– Are they using it in the ways they expected?

– Do they have unrestricted internet access?

– Do they have support they expected?

– Can they access course materials online?

– Is it clear how and why technology is being used?

– Can they see the tangible benefits?

Timescales

– Fieldwork currently underway

– Interim findings released at JISC Conference

– Final reporting mid-May

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Other side of the fence

Attitudes of Head/Senior ICT staff & Network Managers on ICT usage and provision to students Views on web 2.0 issues

91 HE/FE institutions

Some findings…..

64% agree their institution is able to respond in a timely manner to the changing ICT expectations, demands and needs of incoming students (more so in FE)

Network access and use of Web 2.0 most demanded technologies

Generally feel students are fairly competent in using ICT (esp HE), although 17% say not very competent

Support & guidance is generally given by most HEIs on connecting own equipment to institution’s network

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Attitudes towards Web 2.0

Majority of HEIs permit students to use blogs, wikis & multimedia sharing software on network (much fewer FEIs)

89% of HEIs allow use of social networking sites, 36% of FEIs

But only around a third appear to have any institutional policies or guidance surrounding students' use of Web 2.0 technologies and software

Around a quarter provide advice or guidance in the acceptable use of Web 2.0 technologies, a third on publishing content/material online & online privacy issues

Around 40% feel Web 2.0 technologies and software are being incorporated into teaching and learning strategies

70% feel staff are not very competent at using Web 2.0 technologies & software in T&L

Around a third provide advice and guidance to staff in the use of Web 2.0 technologies and software in teaching and learning

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Committee of Inquiry

Convened by JISC and the Academy, funded by HEFCE

Period of 9-12 months

Chaired by Prof Sir David Melville

14 members (incl. 1 student)

Addressing implications for HEIs of the changing experiences & expectations of new learners

Inform and advise on policy issues

Consultation, commissioning reports, briefing papers, surveys and observational visits