Methodology

For this study, it was necessary to determine the ICT facilities and freedoms offered to students on courses of higher education in the UK. In addition an indication of the level of importance placed on ICT within each institution was also relevant. Hence a standard e-mail from a potential student was sent to every institution. The text of the e-mail read as follows:

I am currently considering studying with you, starting 2002/2003, and would be extremely grateful if you could send me a copy of your full prospectus, along with any other information you may deem relevant regarding your general facilities.

I have been especially able to make use of computers and the internet throughout my academic career and would be extremely grateful to receive any guidelines or information you publish regarding students' computer use in halls, on courses, in the library, in leisure time. After years of developing some real skills with a computer you will understand that this information provides an important basis for my choice.

Thank you in advance for the prospectus and any further information on computer use, either limits or freedoms, that you are able to find.

In order to avoid confusion, the letter was designed to be non subject specific as the survey focus related to the facilities and freedoms available to ALL students. A contact address and e-mail address were supplied to give the universities a choice of media through which to respond. The prospectuses weren't wasted, they were fed into our analysis.

The institution e-mail addresses were taken from the UCAS list, and supplemented by information from institution websites. Once the e-mails had been sent, the return account was checked daily and the date and content of the responses were recorded.

A database was set up to display the Contact information of each institution with the following fields: Name, Address, E-mail, Web site and Telephone No; this information was gained from the UCAS list. A free text box was added to log information, such as the date a prospectus or e-mailed response was received, or comments added as appropriate.

A list was also created in the database to enter information about common relevant points in the prospectuses. These could then be checked individually against the prospectuses.

Questionnaire Students at universities offer a valuable source of information about available ICT resources, and the purpose of the questionnaire was to seek answers from that body of experience. For this purpose, Ultralab sought the help of the National Union of Students (NUS). Subsequently, Student Union Representatives were contacted by post and asked to complete an online questionnaire (once per Institution), but only 14.6% of questionnaires requested were submitted. Since this was not enough, the NUS Vice President for Education (Chris Weavers) was contacted, and agreed a second request to be e-mailed to each Students' Union. Eventually 31% of questionnaires requested were received. As a data gathering instrument the questionnaire was designed to: identify the issues considered important for the use of ICT. take into account, students' previous ICT experience. establish the opportunity for progression for students who already possess core/advanced ICT skills. determine whether the university offers options on the type of software/hardware available for use by ALL students. determine whether common trends existed in the ICT facilities and freedoms offered to students. consider emerging technologies to see whether Universities were allowing their students to make the most of the facilities available to them, and whether the universities were investing in this technology in the first place.

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