1. Joint Information Systems Committee Student Expectations Charles Hutchings, JISC Joint Information Systems CommitteeSupporting education and research

2. Joint Information Systems Committee STUDENT LIFECYLE HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOL/ COLLEGE/ (FE) Learner experience projects 2007-9 LEX Learner Scoping Study SPIRE Project Becta FE Learners Study SOLE NSS HE Academy Learner experience projects? LSN Listening to Learners GAP? Background

3. Joint Information Systems Committee 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…

4. Joint Information Systems Committee Student Expectations Study Part 1 FindingsImplications 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

5. Joint Information Systems Committee Student Expectations Study Part 1 FindingsImplications 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. 2 nd 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

6. Joint Information Systems Committee Student Expectations Study Part 1 FindingsImplications 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?

7. Joint Information Systems Committee Phase 2 To explore: –experiences of using ICT in social, learning and teaching environments at university –whether prior expectations have been met Cohort Survey of 1,000 first year students Quantitative (Online survey) Qualitative (4 online discussion groups) Depth, insight, understanding

8. Joint Information Systems Committee 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

9. Joint Information Systems Committee 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

10. Joint Information Systems Committee 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

11. Joint Information Systems Committee 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

12. Joint Information Systems Committee 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