Educause recently released their 2014 report on students and information technology. The report is based on survey responses from 75,306 students across 15 countries and key findings include:
- The majority of students learn best with a blend of online and face-to-face work.
- Technology has only a moderate influence on students’ active involvement in particular courses or as a connector with other students and faculty. Students’ academic use of technology is widespread but not deep. They are particularly interested in expanding the use of a few specific technologies. For example, more that 50% of students indicated they would like instructors to make greater use of lecture capture, early-alert systems and “freely available course content.”
- Many students use mobile devices for academic purposes. Their in-class use is more likely when instructors encourage such use; however, both faculty and students are concerned about their potential for distraction.