Six years ago, Rice faculty expressed interest in knowing what the incoming students expected as far as communication channels and classroom technologies. This request led to the IT Expectations Survey for incoming undergraduates. Since 2008, IT has reported the results of the survey to Rice faculty early in the fall semester.
93% Response Rate
A quick recap of the 2014 survey responses reveals a 92.66% response rate — 909 of the 981 new undergraduates students answered survey questions — enough of the entering class to track overall habits and trends.
High Expectations for Instructors
Most of the students expect to use technology everyday for class-related activities and preparation. The students want their instructors to use tools like PowerPoint in class and post their course readings and syllabi online.
- 97% of the new students expect their instructor to post course readings and syllabi on the Web.
- 96% would like their instructor to allow them to use their laptop in class.
- 93% would like their instructor to show digital media in class.
- 92% of the students would like to turn in assignments electronically.
- 91% would like their instructor to use tools like PowerPoint during their lectures.
- 87% would like their instructor to demo web sites and software in class.
Before and After Class
- 94% expect to use technology every day to search for information relevant to class.
- 92% expect to use technology every day to prepare for class.
- 83% plan to use technology every day to review material after class.
Wireless Connections for Class
Almost all of the new students (99%) expect to bring a laptop to Rice, but only 93% are bringing a smart phone (a mobile phone with a data plan). Only one student out of 909 is not bringing any type of computer, phone, tablet or pad. However, the number of students bringing multiple devices that depend on wireless network connections is nearing its zenith, with 92% of the incoming students are bringing 2-3 wireless computers, tablet, or smart phones. The survey questions did not include printers or entertainment devices like Xbox or AppleTV:
- 5% will bring 4 wireless devices (computer, smart phone, table/pad)
- 35% will bring 3 wireless devices (computer, smart phone, table/pad)
- 57% will bring 2 wireless devices (computer, smart phone, table/pad)
- 3% will bring 1 wireless device (computer, smart phone, table/pad)
Complete Set of Questions and Responses
- 97% – At Rice, I plan to use technology every day for non-class related activities.
- 92% – At Rice, I plan to use technology every day to prepare for class.
- 67% – At Rice, I plan to use technology every day in class.
- 83% – At Rice, I plan to use technology every day to review material after class.
- 94% – At Rice, I plan to use technology every day to search for information relevant to class.
- 97% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to post course readings and syllabi on the Web.
- 66% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to use the Web for interactive assignments, quizzes, and tests.
- 57% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to use the Web for course discussions.
- 72% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to webcast or podcast their class.
- 91% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to use tools like PowerPoint during their lectures.
- 87% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to demonstrate web sites and software to the class.
- 93% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to show digital media in class.
- 92% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to allow assignments to be turned in electronically.
- 54% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to allow me to contribute what I’ve learned by posting to class wikis and blogs.
- 74% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to allow me to turn in digital media as an assignment.
- 84% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to allow me to learn through games and simulations.
- 96% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to permit me to use my laptop in class.
- 71% – When taking a course, I would like my instructor to allow me to occasionally skip class meetings as long as I complete web-based assignments.
- Which best describes your use of NEW technologies?
- 59% Use new technologies if/when friends use them.
- 23% Before friends use them
- 13% Last to use new technologies
- 5% First to use new technologies
- What network devices will you bring?
- 6% – I plan to bring a desktop computer.
- 99% – I plan to bring a laptop computer.
- 5% – I plan to bring a netbook.
- 39% – I plan to bring a tablet (iPad, iPod touch, Streak, Galaxy Tab, etc).
- 93% – I plan to bring a cell phone with a data plan.
The percentage of the incoming class planning to bring one or more networked devices (not counting printers and entertainment devices like Apple TV and Xbox).
- 3% – One networked device (computer, phone or tablet/pad)
- 57% – 2 devices (computers, phones and/or tablets or pads)
- 35% – 3 devices (computers, phones and/or tablets or pads)
- 5% – 4 devices (computers, phones and/or tablets or pads)
- 0% – 5 devices (one person out of 909)
- 0% – 0 devices (one person out of 909)