1. 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.

2. 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!

3. 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)

4. 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:

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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
most used technology in courses
Prefer moderate over extensive use of IT in courses
Salaway, G., Caruso-Borreson, J. and Nelson, M. (2007)

8. 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
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).