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Technology presence continues to increase

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by Nick Penzenstadler

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

With many professors fully integrating the Internet and other digital enhancements into their classes, the University of Wisconsin announced Tuesday increased numbers of students are utilizing digital services.

Figures from the Student Computing Survey Report compiled by the Division of Information Technology revealed 77 percent of students own a laptop, up from 64 percent last year, while 48 percent of students own a desktop compared to 46 percent in 2006.

Eighty-five percent of students at UW now own some type of cell phone and 53 percent own some type of MP3 player, both a large increase from last year’s numbers, 79 and 64 percent, respectively.

"The trend has been more portable, less tethered devices, from desktops to laptops, more storage, and more convenience like labs around campus," DoIT spokesperson Brian Rust said.

The survey also reported a 2-percent increase in overall satisfaction, from 89 to 91, with UW-provided technology.

Rust said the survey was initiated after 1994 when the state approved a boost in funding specifically for technological advancements at UW for instructional purposes and things such as a free e-mail service with a 1-percent surcharge to tuition.

"In the long run, the feedback has been very positive. There were a couple years, like three years ago, with an outage that prompted fewer students to give high ratings," Rust said. "[W]e knew we had to make absolutely sure that network infrastructures were up and [providing] access to students all the time."

A large number of students also reported using campus InfoLabs, mainly at College Library (43 percent) and Memorial Library (34 percent).

UW freshman Julie Benkoske said she recently purchased a laptop for her first year on campus, for the sake of convenience.

"We have wireless in our study and in the library, so that's nice," Benkoske said. "I thought this way I don't need to get a printer, and I can use the lab."

Although wireless accessibility is not necessary in all campus buildings, Rust said they are 97 percent complete with their goals of a complete wireless network that will be done by the end of the calendar year.

"Last year at this time, we were at maybe 20 or 30 percent coverage," Rust said. "It just takes time — we had to extend electrical service to put up wireless connectors, and we also needed to extend network jacks and routers."

UW junior Heather Carlson said she has noticed DoIT crews beefing up the wireless network around the building where she works, making it more reliable and convenient. "It just helps us get access to get our e-mail and get our homework done wherever we are," Carlson said. "I also usually use the labs for printing — I think they're great."

With the increased digital accessibility, Rust said students are also becoming more aware of safety concerns.

The survey showed 84 percent of students reported never intentionally sharing a password, along with 51 percent of students who said they have installed anti-virus software on their computers.

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