It’s that time of year again when all the reports come out to tell faculty about this year’s incoming freshman class, like Beloit’s Mindset List which annually reminds us all of how old we are.  The Office of Information Technology partners with our summer orientation programs to survey all incoming freshmen about their technology habits.  This year we had 523 responses to the survey. Follow this link to see all eight infographics and read on for highlights: Freshmen Technology Survey Infographics

Generation Z

Some of those reports tell us that our freshmen are members of Generation Z and describe them as “connected since birth” (Cheryl Faux. “Generation Z: Connected From Birth.” 27 February 2015.)  Our survey results bear that out–100% of survey respondents report owning a smart phone.  In past years, there was always at least one who did not; but this year we’ve crossed the threshold to full ownership.  That constant connection comes out in their digital habits–they spend their time online on social media (85%, with Instagram and Snapchat as the leading apps), 63% check their email at least daily with another 19% checking when notified, and 64% manage their to do lists with reminders on their phone. A staggering 90% of students video chat, with 75% using Facetime (82% have iPhones). Take a look at all eight infographics (also linked from the thumbnail below) to gain more insight into how they take notes, manage deadlines, and prefer to communicate with instructors.

More than Two Thirds of Incoming Freshmen Don’t Maintain a Digital Identity

But students still are not thinking critically about their digital presence.  Of our respondents 69% report that they don’t maintain a digital identity and another 8% weren’t sure.  When asked about a variety of creative activities done online (website, blog, videos, game development), the highest percentage was 30% who “make and share memes, photos, graphics, etc.”  As we’ve seen in past years, students are connected but still need to develop their skills in critical thinking and creating with technology.

90% of Incoming Freshmen Have Used a Learning Management System

We saw another jump in student familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas.  This year only 10% reported that they had never used an LMS.  And, now 45% of students have taken a class online (an increase of 11 percentage points from last year) with 71% reporting that they would do so again. So to answer the question posed in the title for this post, yes incoming freshmen are becoming digital learners.

Makerspaces or Making Technologies?

Finally, we see a strong interest in new technologies, especially those associated with “making”, like 3-D printing (64%) or Laser Cutting (51%), as well as drones (48%), virtual reality (49%), and artificial intelligence (54%).  The only new technology where we see a decline from previous years is in wearable technologies like fitbits or apple watches.  44% of students have used them but only 43% are interested.  This is likely one new technology that is not so new anymore.   We also asked students if they were interested in a makerspace; while they show strong interest in the making technologies 81% of students don’t know what a makerspace is.

These are only a few highlights from this year’s survey.  Check out these infographics for more results and thanks to OIT Student Ambassador, Tate Seroczynski for creating them.

Click on the thumbnail above to access all 8 infographics.

See results from years past in the following blog posts:

Google, Mobile, and What Else? Insights from the 2017 Freshman Technology Survey (2017)

Freshmen are Mobile, Social, and Always Connected (2015)

Freshmen Technology Survey (2014)