Adoption of Technology

45% of students said that their university offered online courses that have few face to face elements.

53% said that their university did not currently offer this style of course.

2% did not respond.

23% of students said that their University offered courses over the internet with no Face to Face element.

These are:

• Kings College, London
• University of Oxford, St. Peter's College
• University of Essex
• University of Teesside
• Sunderland
• Anglia Polytechnic University
• Thames Valley University
• University of London
• Farnborough College of Technology (FE and HE college)
• University of Birmingham
• Chester College
• Arts Institute at Bournemouth
• University Of Glamorgan
• University of Huddersfield
• Liverpool Hope University College

77% of students said that this provision was not currently available at their university.

"Are students Able to hand in Coursework over the Internet?" This is extremely important for students who are mobile; ie Most students.

37% said that in general, students at their university are allowed to hand in work over the internet. At the majority of institutions (63%) this was not allowed.

Student Comment -"Unassessed work can be handed in electronically, and in exceptional cases, so can coursework". -University of York

25% of the prospectuses mention that there is IT content on most courses.

75% do not mention IT content on courses

16% of prospectuses mention the provision of online course materials and web-based learning.

84% do not mention web-based learning.

Synchronous communication allows effective use of time and resources, where students are in constant contact with their peers, facilitating the sharing of ideas, and reducing isolation. Where students are able to have synchronous communications with their tutors, the need to book appointments is redundant, waiting time is reduced and tutors are able to give a one to one guidance to many students at the same time.

50% of students said that there is provision for synchronous communications with their peers and tutors. 48% said that this facility was unavailable to them.

With the increasing trend in provision of online courses, the means of communicating synchronously over the internet will have to become part of a suite of tools available to all online students and these facilities may be extended to all students.

"The University is currently compiling a web strategy that will certainly have a huge bearing on how much ICT facilities are used within departments Undoubtedly, this will lead to an increase role, and provision for more synchronous communication, more internet only courses (the uni is working on an e-university project) and allow a greater opportunity to hand coursework in over e-mail. Unassessed work can be handed in electronically, and in exceptional cases, so can coursework. -University of York

10% of students said that their university does use SMS as a means of contacting students and relaying information.

90% do not.

Student comment- "Some of the questions like SMS texting are utilised by the Students Union by our own membership database. This is something we are hoping to offer to the University. We are currently looking into a membership software package which will allow us to utilise group e-mails, personalised e-mail and web space, more detailed group SMS all of which we could offer to the University. At the moment we are not allowed access to each individual student inbox via the University address books. This is obviously something we would find beneficial and are constantly looking to gain access to."- Staffordshire University

The information used in this survey has been taken directly form prospectuses, information from university admissions staff and the opinions of students. Ultralab cannnot be held responsible for any misinformation, regarding universities ICT facilities, support, access or freedoms.

					:						A study of the ICT freedoms and facilities available to HE Students