Student Communication 2017: Meeting the IT and Networking Needs of Tomorrow’s Students Samuel A. DiGangi, Associate Vice President, Arizona State University Brenda van Gelder, Director, eCorridors Program, Virginia Tech Susan E. Metros, Associate Vice Provost/Deputy CIO, University of Southern California Students expect their university’s network to meet their academic and personal needs. So how can network administrators cope with a student body whose network needs for self-expression, learning, and creativity outpace the requirements of academic departments or (institutional) business practices? Is it possible (or just wishful thinking) to predict their demands? During this session, we will identify a few trends seen on today’s information-communication-technology landscape and address why we must continuously seek alternative and more efficient ways to meet the ICT services of tomorrow’s students.

Setting the stage… Traditional Learning Environments New Learning Environments Teacher-centered instruction Learner-centered learning Single-path progression Multipath progression Single media Multimedia Isolated work Collaborative work Information delivery Information exchange Passive learning Active learning Factual, knowledge-based learning Critical thinking, problem-based, and informed decision-making Isolated, prefabricated context Authentic, real world context Classroom Wherever!

Who are our students? Information Seekers Communicators Collaborators Computers aren’t technology Internet is better than TV Reality is no longer real Doing trumps knowing Trial and error trumps logic Multitasking is a way of life Prefer random access Highly interactive Prefer collaborative environments Consumer/creator boundary blurring Staying connected is essential Zero tolerance for delays Function best when networked Receive information rapidly Thrive on instant gratification (A profile of the new learner based on current research and longitudinal studies.) Digital Mindset Jason Frand: Characteristics of the Information Age Student’s Mindset Prensky: How do they think differently? (Prensky, 2001) (Frand, 2000)

Work/Play behavior Clamor for constant kudos Feed off convenience Flip between personal and professional collaborative spaces Customize/individualize physical and online workspaces Media savvy Laissez-faire attitude about privacy and IP Independent workers, not lifetime employees Customize/individualize physical and online workspaces Media savvy Laissez-faire attitude about privacy and IP Independent workers, not lifetime employees “The role of ‘the company’ as a primary unifier will recede, replaced by trusted networks or peers and relationships” Mo Wampum, 2007: www.surrendermartha.com

2007 ECAR Study of UG and IT Student technology ownership Salaway, G., Caruso-Borreson, J. and Nelson, M. (2007). The 2007 ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, ECAR, Vol 6, (Denver, CO: Educause). 27846 undergraduate and community college students, 103 HE Institutions Carnegie breakdown: 49.2 percent doctoral 37.8 percent master 5.5 percent bachelor 6.6 percent associate 0.9 percent other. 98% own a computer Salaway, G., Caruso-Borreson, J. and Nelson, M. (2007)

2007 ECAR Study of UG and IT Student technology use 24% primary connection wireless 80% use social collaboration tools 76% download music/video Possess good IT skills Spend an average of 18 hr/wk online Salaway, G., Caruso-Borreson, J. and Nelson, M. (2007)

2007 ECAR Study of UG and IT Student technology use in learning 83% use a CMS Over half indicate convenience primary benefit of using IT in their courses Email most used technology in courses Prefer moderate over extensive use of IT in courses Salaway, G., Caruso-Borreson, J. and Nelson, M. (2007)

References Frand, J. (September/October 2000). The information mindset: Changes in students and implications for higher education, EDUCAUSE Review, 35 (5), (Denver, CO: Educause), pp. 15-24. Prensky, M. (October, 2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants, On the Horizon 9 (5), (Lincoln, NE: NCB University Press). Salaway, G., Caruso-Borreson, J. and Nelson, M. (2007). The 2007 ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, ECAR, Vol 6, (Denver, CO: Educause).