Great expectations of ICT...New research on attitudes of university applicants

Those hoping to go to university are ‘digital natives’ who use social networking sites regularly and are quickly able to perceive the potential benefits and limitations of new technologies in their social and academic lives, when presented with examples of their use.

This is the picture painted by the results of research published today into the attitudes of 16-18 year olds who are hoping to go to university. Commissioned by Jisc and conducted by IpsosMORI, the survey looked at the attitudes of over 500 young people using both quantitative and qualitative techniques.  

The research found, for example, that use of the Internet is the norm for these young people, with 76% having accessed the Internet from their bedrooms, nearly two-thirds using social networking sites ‘regularly’ and 84% agreeing with the statement that they ‘like to keep up-to-date with new techn‘This research provides the sector with important intelligence as it continues to develop its ICT services for new and potential students.'ology and use it as much as possible both for study and in my free time’. However, qualitative insight suggests that expectations are largely based on their current home or school experiences, creating an uncertainty about how technology can be used in new and different ways in learning and teaching at university.

While the report on the findings, written by Ipsos MORI, suggested that ICT has become ‘part of the fabric of the lives’ of young university hopefuls, it also uncovered a pragmatism in their approach to technology, with 79% agreeing with the statement ‘I think that using IT at university will enhance my learning’. However, qualitative insight suggests that most feel that it should be used as a support for traditional teaching methods and regular face to face contact, rather than overtaking these valued methods altogether.

Among the other findings of the research with university hopefuls across the UK were the following:

• 65% ‘regularly’ use social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace or Flickr (females more than males - 71% and 59% respectively) and only 5% ‘never’ use them
• A quarter (27%) ‘regularly’ use wikis, blogs or online networks
• Very few ‘regularly’ take part in an online community, for example a “virtual world” such as Second Life (8%)
• 62% agree with the statement ‘I expect IT to play a much bigger role in my learning than it does now’ with regard to their time at university, although qualitative insight suggest that perhaps it’s not clear to them how
• Of those who have at least begun the process of preparing for university application 50% have looked at or asked for information about the types of IT provision
• Of those who had looked at or asked about IT provision 42% said that there was more IT provision than they expected.

The report suggests that the research carries important implications for universities, particularly in its findings on the expectations of young people as ‘customers’ of higher education, the near-ubiquity of social networking and the need expressed by survey respondents for clear social or academic benefits of new technologies to be presented.

Professor Sir Ron Cooke, Chairman of Jisc, welcomed the publication of the report, saying: ‘This research provides the sector with important intelligence as it continues to develop its ICT services for new and potential students. Young people clearly have very particular needs and expectations as far as ICT is concerned and while there is a great deal for colleges and universities to absorb in this research, we hope it will help them plan more effectively to meet the needs of all our future learners.’

This research is preparatory to the establishment of a Committee of Inquiry being convened by Jisc this autumn into the changing learner experience. The Inquiry will address the implications for Higher Education Institutions of the experience and expectations of learners approaching full-time higher education with a view to informing senior management and providing advice to universities and colleges.

A briefing paper on the research findings is available and is being distributed to all colleges and universities.

For the full report, please go to: Student expectations