The CDW-G report on 21st century campus technology

CDW-G (2010) 21st Century Campus Report Vernon Hills ILL: CDW-G

CDW is a leading provider of technology products and services for business, government and education. Now in its third year, the CDW-G 21st-Century Campus Report examines the role of technology in higher education. CDW-G surveyed more than 1,000 college students, faculty and Information Technology (IT) staff members to understand their perceptions of campus technology. The survey collected information from three sources: IT professionals on campus; faculty; and students.

Main findings

Overall, the level of satisfaction of students regarding technology availability and use on campus was relatively high. Three out of four students say colleges understand how they want to use technology as a learning tool.

About two thirds of the students also considered technology a factor in selecting college, and in particular expected to be able to access services and faculty through technology when both on and off campus.

Nevertheless IT professionals thought much greater use could be made of technology for teaching than did faculty.

There were several other areas covered, such as the number of institutions using digital content, virtual learning, etc. For these and other findings, you are recommended to read the full report (25 pages).

Comment

The sample base is quite small. It would have been helpful to have known how many institutions were involved in the study, and what the response rate was. I suspect that a more broadly based sample might have produced different figures. Nevertheless this is a useful annual survey that supplements the much larger Campus Computing Survey conducted by Kenneth Green which presents a view from the perspective of CIOs.

For another, more comprehensive discussion of this report, see John Glaser’s posting at the Center for College Affordability and Productivity