The use of technology in education Survey The use of technology in education

Purpose The purpose of this survey is to gather information on student’s opinions of the information systems available at WITS. We are also looking to find out how frequently people access educational data on their mobile devices, be it a tablet or smartphone. We believe that it is important to look at information systems and the use of technology in education as they are an integral part of our everyday life as WITS students. In our opinion it is more efficient in terms of communication as well as pooling together resources. In this survey, we would like to see if our opinion is matched by our peers.

Background Information systems and technology have a great influence on education in today’s society. The introduction of information systems and technology has benefitted education to a great extent. They enable us to acquire knowledge and broaden our researching skills. Having technology assists students and teachers in the learning environment. Although information systems and technology have the potential to assist in education and better student’s positions, there are negative aspects such as student’s access and potential excessive dependence on these technologies. The technologies of today my enable us to become very good at finding information, but at the same time, they reduce our ability to retain said information mentally. Certain technologies are hindering the motor skills of the young. They are no longer strengthening their hands by learning how to cut a piece of paper with a pair of scissors. Rather, they are learning how to swipe along a screen, losing certain skills but gaining others which are becoming a necessity in this technological age. Technology needs to be integrated into the classroom in the correct manner. It should be used as an aid in learning and should not become the sole learning medium; as this could create learners who are incapable of independent thought.

Q 1. Do you find the Universe App easy to use? Answered: 38 Assumption: Most students surveyed would be users of the app Options: I use the universe app and find it easy to use  I don’t use the universe app because I find it difficult to use I don’t use it even though I find it easy to use  I have never heard of the universe app

Q 1. Graphical representation Answered: 38

Analysis of results An astounding 39,47% of student have never heard of the universe app, which is rather surprising as it has been mentioned in most lectures and tutorials. Bearing that in mind, another 7,89% don’t use the app as they find it difficult and an additional 18,42% don’t use the app although they find it easy to navigate. This brought us to the conclusion that 65,78% of students do not make use of this app even though it could be a great help. Due to the fact that it is not really used, one could assume that it is not a necessary app in the educational environment as accessing the Sakai website takes preference.

Q 2. How does access to technology mostly impact education Q 2. How does access to technology mostly impact education? Answered: 38 Assumption: Most students surveyed would feel that technology has a positive effect Options: Positive proactive effect Creates efficiency Increases plagiarism Gives an unfair advantage Gives rise to procrastination

Q 2. Graphical representation Answered: 38

Analysis of results What stands out the most is that out of 38 students surveyed, not one has chosen option C, which is the option that points to having an overall negative effect on student’s education. Furthermore, only a small percentage of students chose option D and E. These results prove that the overall and clear underlining fact is, technology does have a positive effect on education. It therefore show that it is a vital element within education.

Q 3. How frequently do you use your smartphone to access education based websites such as Sakai? Answered: 38 Assumption: Most students surveyed would possibly log on to education based websites more than once a day. Options: Once a day About 3-5 times a day More than 10 times per day I do not own a smartphone or tablet Never

Q 3. Graphical Representation Answered: 38

Analysis of results As per our assumption, Option B was the most chosen option. Option D’s results show that every student surveyed owns a smartphone or device which allows them to access education based website. This result reinforces the importance of technology in education as it allows for access to educational data needed in the day to day dealings of students. The results for Option E on the other hand show that although students possess smartphones as a means to access educational websites they may not necessarily use them for this purpose.

Q 4. How does informative technology impact the learning environment Q 4. How does informative technology impact the learning environment? Answered: 38 Assumption: Most students surveyed would feel that informative technology has a positive impact Options: It stimulates creative and collaborative learning Use of these technologies dehumanizes the classroom Learners become too dependent on technology It creates a fully personalized learning experience for each student 

Q 4. Graphical representation Answered: 38

Analysis of results As seen from previous questions, most student believe that technology is beneficial, this is proven by their choice of mostly Options A and D. These results reinforce the importance of information systems and technology in education. Although 21,05% of students believe that students become dependent on technology, the vast majority have established that the positives outweigh the negatives. It must also be noted that not one of the students surveyed feels that the use of technology dehumanizes, which also points to the fact that technology is good for the classroom experience.

Q 5. Which of the following do you find applicable about Sakai Q 5. Which of the following do you find applicable about Sakai? (select the options that apply) Answered: 38 Assumption: Most students surveyed would find Sakai easy to use or conversely, would have difficulties with it Options: It is easy to use It is clear to you where to look for information The first time you logged into Sakai you were confused Sakai is responsive i.e. no lagging, confirms your submission etc. Sakai’s interface is attractive to you as a student Sakai is efficient

Q 5. Graphical representation Answered: 38

Analysis of results As per our initial assumption, most students chose Options A and F, pointing to the fact that Sakai is website which fulfils the users immediate needs. Having said this, a vast amount of students report being confused on their first time accessing the website which shows that there are aspects which need work in order to aid students on first time access. Not many students chose Options E and D pointing to the fact that although they find Sakai to be user friendly, they do not necessarily find it to be aesthetically pleasing, nor do they find it to be as responsive as they would like.

Overall Conclusion The conclusion gathered through the results of this survey is that most students feel that technology and information systems in education are great assets. These technologies have grown in education to a large extent and have become one of the pillars in the development of education for the 21st century. Although technology and information systems are accompanied with some disadvantages, the advantages for education are greater and becoming more noticeable. Information systems and technology in education are rapidly growing and have become part of the foundation for education for years to come

Final Comments Many of our assumptions were accurate, showing that from the students surveyed most feel that technology is indeed wanted and needed in education. In order to potentially obtain a more varied result, more students could have been surveyed. Having said that, surveying more students may in fact have lead to the same results as the vast majority were in agreeance with one another. Having looked at the results of this survey, we would recommend that technologies be integrated into the educational environment as they point to having a positive effect rather than the negative effect assumed. Although this is the case, these technologies should be monitored so as to ensure that they are not used incorrectly in the learning environment. Another recommendation would be to make the platforms which students access more interesting so as to encourage learning through mobile technologies. User interfaces should be user friendly and appealing to students.