What a tech survey means to the College of Lake County
College of Lake County students prefer connecting to their own devices over using computer laboratories, and they aren't into the school's social media offerings, according to a technology survey.
In a presentation to CLC's board this week, Chief Information Officer Charissa Lynn Butler said 510 pupils answered the survey in September 2014. Invitations to participate in the survey were emailed at random to 1,500 full-time students and 3,500 part-timers.
About 70 percent of the students who responded to the 97-item survey said they connect their own mobile devices to CLC's Wi-Fi for school information at least weekly, while slightly more than 50 percent reported also bringing a computer or tablet. That compares to about 15 percent of those surveyed who said they never bring their own mobile device, while nearly 30 percent reported they never tote their own tablets or computers.
Roughly 25 percent said they never use a CLC computer lab. About 35 percent of students reported using a computer lab weekly, and 40 percent said they use the facility at least once a month.
Butler said officials hope CLC can get students engaged in their studies on mobile devices and become successful.
"We'll see that devices are a big thing," Butler said. "Everybody's got a mobile device or a tablet, and that is where everything is trending. Even from a desktop situation, people just aren't using desktops anymore."
CLC board Chairman William Griffin said the administration is ramping up for the shift to mobile devices.
"Our new website has a flexible design that alters to fit smartphones and tablets," Griffin said. "In addition, we have developed our own mobile app that allows students to access all their information and all of their online instruction from these mobile devices. The (information technology) department expects to be using less computers as everyone shifts to mobile devices. But keep in mind that at this time, almost all mobile device users still use computers for some functions."
Trustee Richard Anderson said the mobile device findings in the survey don't mean officials will stop ordering desktop computers for the labs.
"I think we'd take it (the survey) into consideration, but I think we'll always have a computer lab for those who can't afford a mobile device or Wi-Fi," Anderson said.
On the topic of social media, 70 percent of the students polled said they visit such a site every week. About 10 percent of pupils said they dabble in social media monthly, but almost 20 percent said they never go there.
When it comes to CLC's social media offerings, 70 percent of the 510 students reported they never visit. About 20 percent reported doing so monthly and 10 percent weekly.
Griffin said the school already pushes much information and marketing through the social media of Lake County community organizations. Still, he said he expects what CLC does on social media to improve.
"We have a plan to greatly expand and better coordinate our efforts in social media, which will be unveiled and begin this fall," Griffin said. "While we have a large presence on Facebook, many students have moved to Twitter and Instagram, and that may explain some of the drop in usage."
About 90 percent of respondents had overall satisfaction with the technology available at CLC.