The Educause Center for Applied Research surveyed 29,000 college freshmen, seniors and community college students for its “Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology 2006.” Of those interviewed:

98% own a PC (38% of freshmen start college with desktop and notebook PCs)

20% own a PDA, smart phone or both

61% own an electronic music or video device

23 hours per week is spent using various information and communication technology

The survey’s key observations:

• IT demands vary widely between younger and older students.
• Curriculum is important in the development of needed IT skills for students.
• IT in courses is about convenience and how it lets students balance their work, academic and personal lives.
• Many students want technology to supplement the classroom experience, not replace it.

E-Expectations: What High School Students Want From
College Web Sites

• Fill out financial-aid estimator forms
• Use tuition cost calculators
• Access admissions applications
• Request campus visits
• Instant message with admissions counselors
• RSVP for campus events
• Make inquiries
• Read profiles of faculty
• E-mail faculty members
• Read blogs by faculty members or current students

These are the findings of a 2006 survey of 1,000 Class of 2007 high school juniors conducted by Noel-Levitz, an education consultant in Iowa City, Iowa.

86% use it to reach prospective students
62% to reach alumni

fewer than

50% to reach other constituents
8% try innovative channels such as social networking sites, video-sharing Web sites and instant messaging

Source: “2006 Higher Ed E-marketing Survey” of 120 schools by IT analyst firm Media Logic of Bellevue, Wash.