Appendices
Appendix A: Frequencies of Coded Student Responses—Institutions
Below we present the frequencies of codes for students’ open-ended responses to the following question: “What is ONE thing you would like your institution to do with technology to enhance your academic success?” Percentages do not add up to 100%, due to independent rounding.
| Definition | N | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Students request that institutions provide more reliable Wi-fi services | 189 | 19 |
| Students request training and support to use technology (e.g., analytic software) | 90 | 9 |
| Students request that institutions utilize more technology on campus | 65 | 7 |
| Students request that institutions have more user-friendly websites (e.g., registration) | 47 | 5 |
| Students request that institutions provide more access to hardware (e.g., laptops that can be loaned out) | 43 | 4 |
| Students request improvements in campus LMS | 43 | 4 |
| Students request that their institution facilitate the posting of all grades online | 39 | 4 |
| Students request that institutional technology (e.g., websites, LMS) be more user friendly | 39 | 4 |
| Students request that their institution utilize more mobile apps | 37 | 4 |
| Students request that their institution offer more online courses | 35 | 4 |
| Students request that their institution’s technology be more reliable (e.g., LMS) | 30 | 3 |
| Students request that institutions make their instructors’ lectures available online | 29 | 3 |
| Students request that their institution have policies that allow laptops and smartphones in classrooms | 28 | 3 |
| Students request that their institution have less reliance on technology | 28 | 3 |
| Students request that their instructors use technology better | 26 | 3 |
| Students request that their institution update or upgrade technology used on campus | 26 | 3 |
| Students request that their institution utilize (or better utilize) technology for academic planning and auditing | 25 | 3 |
| Students request that their institution and instructors provide more effective electronic communication (e.g., campus events, and communication from instructors) | 25 | 3 |
| Students request that their institution post course content online | 20 | 2 |
| Students request that their institution provide free access to software | 17 | 2 |
| Students request that their institution offer e-books for lower costs and increased convenience | 17 | 2 |
| Students request that classrooms be more adaptable to use of technology (e.g., outlets, smartboards, etc.) | 12 | 1 |
| Students request that their institution provide online exams and quizzes more often | 11 | 1 |
| Students request that their institution ensure that more videos are incorporated in course content | 10 | 1 |
| Students request that their institution provide free hardware as a service (e.g., free laptops) | 9 | 1 |
| Students request that their institution increase efforts to communicate what resources are available to students | 7 | 1 |
| Students request that their institution improve online courses (e.g., more interactive online course content) | 5 | 1 |
| Students request that their institution improve support and use of Mac software/hardware | 3 | <1% |
| Students request that their institution provide data on course/instructors’ student assessments | 2 | <1% |
| Students request that their institution provide free printing services | 2 | <1% |
| Students request that their institution’s LMS notifications be used better (e.g., when an assignment is posted on the LMS) | 2 | <1% |
| Students request that their institution provide online peer collaboration | 2 | <1% |
| Students request that their institution provide online tutoring | 2 | <1% |
| Students request that their institution utilize LMS more often | 2 | <1% |
| Student requests that their institution provide more access to online journal databases | 1 | <1% |
| Student requests that their institution decrease costs | 1 | <1% |
| Student requests that their institution dismiss “bad” professors | 1 | <1% |
| Total | 970 |
Appendix B: Frequencies of Coded Student Responses—Instructors
Below we present the frequencies of codes for students’ open-ended responses to the following question: "What is ONE thing you would like your instructors to do with technology to enhance your academic success?" Percentages do not add up to 100%, due to independent rounding.
| Definition | N | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Students request that lectures be placed online—either audio or video | 158 | 14 |
| Students request that course content be placed online (e.g., syllabi, course information, readings) | 122 | 11 |
| Students request that instructors post grades and feedback on assignments | 107 | 10 |
| Students request that instructors use more technology | 78 | 7 |
| Students request more use of videos in class or online | 77 | 7 |
| Students request that classes be more interactive—e.g., use of games or polls | 59 | 5 |
| Students request that faculty use available LMS technology correctly, or learn how to use it better | 50 | 4 |
| Students request less technology to be used | 50 | 4 |
| Students request more online exams and quizzes | 50 | 4 |
| Students request that faculty who are not currently using the school’s LMS begin to use the LMS | 44 | 4 |
| Students request that they be allowed to use technology more often in the classroom (e.g., laptops for notetaking) | 43 | 4 |
| Students request training or support on the use of technology | 37 | 3 |
| Students comment on general teaching skills of instructors | 34 | 3 |
| Students request more effective use of PowerPoint | 30 | 3 |
| Students request more assignments online | 29 | 3 |
| Students request supplemental materials online (separate from course content) in order to enhance learning | 29 | 3 |
| Students request that instructors who already use online activities/assignments use more activities/assignments | 25 | 2 |
| Students request that study tools be posted online, e.g., practice exercises | 25 | 2 |
| Students request that instructors communicate via email more effectively | 23 | 2 |
| Students request that all course texts be e-books | 18 | 2 |
| Students request more assignments that can be submitted via LMS | 15 | 1 |
| Students specifically request the use of polls in the classroom | 8 | 1 |
| Students report that technology used should be more reliable | 6 | 1 |
| Students suggest that more online collaboration with peers should occur | 3 | <1% |
| Students request more online discussion via LMS | 2 | <1% |
| Students request that technology or electronic resources be provided to them for free | 2 | <1% |
| Student specifically requests LMS change to another platform | 1 | <1% |
| Total | 1,125 |
Appendix C: Checklist to Assess General Concerns for Wi-Fi
The following checklist can be used by IT departments to diagnose general Wi-Fi complaints when they arise, using a simple set of probable concerns gathered from students' open-ended responses. Institutions can also use this checklist as a proactive tool to anticipate student concerns with Wi-Fi networks. The list is in descending order from highest number of students reporting concerns to lowest number in the 2017 Student Survey open-ended item "What is the one thing you would like your institution to do with technology to enhance your academic success?"
- Wi-Fi is not available across all areas of campus, including dormitories, campus buildings, and outside.
- Wi-Fi in dormitories may be slowed down by wireless printers and personal routers.
- Wi-Fi is not easy to sign in to across multiple devices. Multiple logins are necessary during the day or month.
- Wi-Fi bandwidth does not adequately accommodate periods of high use.
- Wi-Fi costs are high for students, but strength and speed of networks is not adequate for student needs.
- Wi-Fi security measures should be improved.
- Wi-Fi usage should have fewer restrictions.