Student Survey - Winter 2015

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Survey Interpretation

Computer Lab Management (CLM) annually surveys students who use the campus computer rooms. This data may be useful in determining what computer the "average" student owns and what the campus should support.

  • Computer ownership among students remained close to universal.
  • Smartphone ownership is now close to universal (94.1%). The ownership percentage has increased dramatically each year since Winter 2011 (34.9%).
  • Laptop ownership has increased dramatically since Winter 2003 and now 90.7% of students use laptops as their primary computer. This is substantially higher than the desktops at 7.1%.
  • Mac ownership has grown quickly from 7.2% in Winter 2006 to 39.5% in Winter 2015.
  • Tablets are owned by 33.0% of students. This is up from 3.1% in the Winter 2011 survey. Tablets appear to be a secondary device as all tablet owners also own a desktop or laptop.
  • Among PC users, Windows 7 and 8 is the most commonly used operating systems with a combined usage of 54.6%. No other PC OS has a significant user base.
  • Mac users primarily use Mac OS X 10.9. It appears that Mac users have started migrarting to Mac OS X 10.10. Mac OS X 10.8 still has relatively significant number of users.
  • Therefore, at this time it is probably safe to support just Windows 7, Windows 8, Mac OS X 10.8, Mac OS X 10.9, and Mac OS X 10.10.
  • Question 2 shows that overall students use the computer rooms for academic class-related reasons at a much higher percentage than for personal reasons.
  • Class-related printing remains one of the most important reasons students use the computer rooms. This is not surprising since ink-jet cartridges tend to be expensive so printing on a ink-jet printer at home is more expensive than printing in the computer rooms.
  • About three-tenths of students (29.6%) have a class that meets in a computer classroom. This percentage has increased since Winter 2012, after staying at roughly 20% since we first asked the question in 1998. We have added three more computer classrooms since 2012 so it's not surprising this percentage increased.
  • Question 8 shows that the sheets required to meet a student's academic printing needs varies widely depending on the student. However, a quota of 100 sheets would meet the need of almost 85% of the students.
  • Students primarily use email to transfer files between computers. USB Flash drives and Google Drive are also used by significant numbers of students. Google Drive usage has been slowly increasing over the past few years. It still doesn't appear if news of the campus rollout of Box.com made it to students.
  • Interestingly students reported about many non-IET computer rooms, including Kemper, Ghausi, Shields Library, etc. or mentioned specific details which made it clear that the comment couldn't be about an IET room. There appears to be a bit of confusion regarding who maintains the various computer labs on campus.
  • Question 9 garnered a wide variety of responses, but the most common themes are:
    • Printing received by far the most responses. There is a strong desire for free and/or cheaper printing.
    • Many students wanted a computer lab back at the MU. We were asked to move the MU computer lab to Wellman in Fall 2013 to accommodate the MU renewal project.
    • We need to do a better job monitoring the quick access stations to give priority to academic use.
    • Many students wanted more computers/labs or longer hours

Survey Text

On March 9th, 2015 Computer Lab Management (CLM) sent the following survey 5000 students who had uses the campus computer rooms during Winter 2015.
Name (optional):
E-mail Address (optional):

1. Class Standing:

2. Why do you use the computer rooms (please check all that apply)?

I don't own a computer
I don't own a printer
I go to websites for personal reasons
I go to websites for academic reasons
I check/reply to personal email
I check/reply to class-related email
I print class assignments (e.g. essays, homework, labs)
I print class materials (e.g. research, syllabi, assignments)
I use wireless printing to print from my laptop to computer room printers
I need access to specialized software which I do not own
I need access to specialized hardware which I do not own (e.g. scanners, video editors, etc.)
The campus computers have faster access to the network (web, email, etc.)
The campus computers are more convenient than mine
The campus computers work better than mine
The campus computers have bigger monitors than my laptop
The campus printers are better than mine
I have a class that meets in a computer classroom
I need to access my student information (e.g. RSVP, grades, financial aid info, classes enrolled)
Other (please describe):

3a. What types of computers do you own? (check all that apply)

I own a desktop
I own a laptop, including convertable laptop/tablets

3b. Which of these other electronic devices do you own? (check all that apply)

I own a tablet (iPad, Android tablet, Kindle Fire, Nook HD)
I own a smartphone (iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, or other phone that can check email and surf the web)
I own a black and white dedicated eReader (Kindle, Nook)

4. If you own a computer please answer the following question. If you own more than one computer, please respond for the computer you use most often.

Type:

Operating system:

Office Suite:

Printer:

Please check all the peripherals you own:
USB flash drive
Portable hard drive

5. How do you normally transfer your work from one computer to another:


If you said other, please specify how:

6. When you go to a computer room and see more than 10 people waiting in line, what do you usually do?

N/A - I haven't seen more than 10 people waiting in line
I wait in line.
I ask the Computer Room Consultant about other open computer rooms.
I go to another lab and hope there's no waiting line or a shorter one.
I come back at a later time that day.
I wait until I get home to use my computer.
I use my own laptop instead.
Other - please specify:

7A. When you go to use a computer room, how long do you typically have to wait to use a computer?

7B. What do you consider an acceptable length of time to wait to use a campus-provided computer?

8. How many sheets do you need to print each quarter for academic purposes (class material, assignments, study aids)?

9. Do you have other suggestions or comments to help improve the campus computer rooms or services?

Survey Results

There were 324 responses.

Question 1. Class Standing

  Number Percentage
First year 44 13.6%
Second year 47 14.5%
Third year 103 31.8%
Fourth year 84 25.9%
Fifth or more year 15 4.6%
Masters candidate 7 2.2%
PhD candidate 6 1.9%
Professional School 0 0%
No answer 18 5.6%

Question 2. Why do you use the computer rooms

  Number Percentage
I don't own a computer 2 0.6%
I don't own a printer 136 42.0%
I go to websites for personal reasons 38 11.7%
I go to websites for academic reasons 159 49.1%
I check/reply to personal email 65 20.1%
I check/reply to class-related email 116 35.8%
I print class assignments (e.g. essays, homework, labs) 240 74.1%
I print class materials (e.g. research, syllabi, assignments) 199 61.4%
I use wireless printing to print from my laptop to computer room printers 10 3.1%
I need access to specialized software which I do not own 71 21.9%
I need access to specialized hardware which I do not own (e.g. scanners, video editors, etc.) 46 14.2%
The campus computers have faster access to the network (web, email, etc.) 36 11.1%
The campus computers are more convenient than mine 73 22.5%
The campus computers work better than mine 25 7.7%
The campus computers have bigger monitors than my laptop 35 10.8%
The campus printers are better than mine 58 17.9%
I have a class that meets in a computer classroom 96 29.6%
I need to access my student information (e.g. RSVP, grades, financial aid info, classes enrolled) 34 10.5%
Other 11 3.4%

Other Reasons Listed:

  • I love getting work done in Wellman
  • Easier access to the school's database (instead of using a VPN from home)
  • writing practice
  • Occasionally professors post required handouts too close to class for me to print at my home so i use the computer lab
  • Library VPN is problematic
  • The Emerson computer lab is so bad that I have to print on campus when it isn't working.
  • English class
  • Class Lab
  • Meeting with teams/colleagues for schoolwork
  • Needed to print while on campus
  • I've too lazy to bring my own laptop to campus.
  • Easier to print double-sided on campus
  • access to library material without vpn connection. i have no laptop to carry with me.
  • laptop too heavy to carry around
  • I dont own a laptop or tablet or smart phone
  • I forgot to print an assignment at home.

Question 3a. What types of computers do you own?

  Number Percentage
Desktop 39 12.0%
Laptop 317 97.8%

Question 3b. Which of these other electronic devices do you own?

  Number Percentage
Tablet 107 33.0%
Smartphone 305 94.1%
eReader 30 9.3%
Combined responses to 3a and 3b (all other combinations had zero responses):
Laptop and Smartphone 175 54.0%
Laptop, Tablet and Smartphone 74 22.8%
Laptop, Smartphone and eReader 12 3.7%
Desktop, Laptop and Smartphone 12 3.7%
Desktop, Laptop, Tablet and Smartphone 11 3.4%
Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone and eReader 10 3.1%
Laptop only 7 2.2%
Laptop and Tablet 5 1.5%
Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone and eReader 4 1.2%
Desktop and Laptop 3 0.9%
Desktop, Laptop, Smartphone and eReader 3 0.9%
Desktop only 2 0.6%
Desktop and Smartphone 2 0.6%
Tablet and Smartphone 1 0.3%
Laptop and eReader 1 0.3%
Desktop and Tablet 1 0.3%
Desktop, Tablet, and Smartphone 1 0.3%

Question 4.  If you own a computer please answer the following question. If you own more than one computer, please respond for the computer you use most often.

Type:

  Number Percentage
Desktop 23 7.1%
Laptop 294 90.7%
No answer 7 2.2%

Operating System:

  Number Percentage
Windows 8 101 31.2%
Windows 7 76 23.5%
Windows Vista 4 1.2%
Windows XP 1 0.3%
Windows - older version 0 0%
Windows - not sure what version 3 0.9%
Mac OS X 10.10 18 5.6%
Mac OS X 10.9 68 21.0%
Mac OS X 10.8 16 4.9%
Mac OS X 10.7 6 1.9%
Mac OS X 10.6 2 0.6%
Mac OS X - older version 1 0.3%
Mac OS X - not sure what version 17 5.2%
Linux or Unix 3 0.9%
Other 3 0.9%
No Answer 5 1.5%

Office Suite:

  Number Percentage
Microsoft Office 365 (online version) 31 9.6%
Microsoft Office 2013 (PC) 80 24.7%
Microsoft Office 2010 (PC) 44 13.6%
Microsoft Office 2007 (PC) 23 7.1%
Microsoft Office 2003 (PC) 1 0.3%
Older PC version of Microsoft Office 0 0%
Microsoft Office 2011 (Mac) 73 22.5%
Microsoft Office 2008 (Mac) 9 2.8%
Microsoft Office 2004 (Mac) 1 0.3%
Older Mac version of Microsoft Office 0 0%
Microsoft Works (PC) 0 0%
iWork (Pages, Numbers & Keynote) 8 2.5%
OpenOffice, LibreOffice, FreeOffice 10 3.1%
Google Docs 15 4.6%
Other Online Service (Zoho Docs) 0 0%
Not sure 12 3.7%
Other 3 0.9%
No answer 14 4.3%

Printer:

  Number Percentage
None 152 46.9%
Ink Jet 109 33.6%
Laser 22 6.8%
Other 18 5.6%
No answer 23 7.1%

Please check all the peripherals you own::

  Number Percentage
USB flash drive 272 84.0%
Portable hard drive 98 30.2%

Question 5. How do you normally transfer your work from one computer to another:

  Number Percentage
USB flash drive 58 17.9%
Portable hard drive 2 0.6%
Email file to yourself 174 53.7%
SmartSite 3 0.9%
Google Drive (previously Google Docs) 51 16.4%
Box.com 3 0.9%
Dropbox 16 4.9%
Other Internet or cloud based file storage 0 0%
FTP, sftp or other file transfer program 2 0.6%
Other 3 0.9%
No answer 4 1.2%

Other Reasons Listed:

  • iCloud
  • USB or email for small files, GoogleDrive or USB for larger files
  • Email to myself and USB flash drive
  • OwnCloud, SyncThing, & USB drive

Question 6. When you go to a computer room and see more than 10 people waiting in line, what do you usually do?

  Number Percentage
N/A - I haven't seen more than 10 people waiting in line 188 58.0%
I wait in line 45 13.9%
I ask the CRC about other open computer rooms. 1 0.3%
I go to another lab and hope there's no waiting line or a shorter one. 33 10.2%
I come back at a later time that day. 29 9.0%
I wait until I get home to use my computer. 6 1.9%
I use my own laptop instead. 12 3.7%
Other 6 1.9%
No answer 4 1.2%

Other Actions Listed:

  • I wait in line. I only use the computer for printing.
  • I do not these computers in person, but via remote login
  • I leave. I occasionally use the computer at work.
  • Depends on if I NEED to print something out, or I'm just killing time.
  • I don't use a computer room
  • Leave
  • it depends

Question 7A. When you go to use a computer room, how long do you typically have to wait to use a computer?

  Number Percentage
Not at all 183 56.5%
Less than 5 minutes 107 33.0%
5 to 10 minutes 19 5.9%
10 to 15 minutes 3 0.9%
15 to 30 minutes 2 0.6%
Over 30 minutes 2 0.6%
No answer 8 2.5%

Question 7B. What do you consider an acceptable length of time to wait to use a campus-provided computer?

  Number Percentage
No wait at all 38 11.7
Less than 5 minutes 156 48.1%
5 to 10 minutes 99 30.6%
10 to 15 minutes 13 4.0%
15 to 30 minutes 3 0.9%
Over 30 minutes 4 1.2%
No answer 11 3.4%

Question 8. How many sheets do you need to print each quarter for academic purposes (class material, assignments, study aids)?

  Number Percentage
Less than 25 sheets 113 34.9%
26 to 50 sheets 76 23.5%
51 to 75 sheets 45 13.9%
76 to 100 sheets 38 11.7%
101 to 150 sheets 18 5.6%%
150 to 200 sheets 17 5.2%
Over 200 sheets 12 3.7%
No answer 5 1.2%

Question 9. Do you have other suggestions or comments to help improve the campus computer rooms or services?

  • We have 300 free prints a year if we print at the Tercero printers, we should be able to use those same 300 free prints at the library.
  • Cheaper color printing :)
  • printing cost to be less?
  • When Computer Lab Management employees see individuals who they are acquainted with or are friends with, they often engage in loud conversation. This disturbs my concentration (I'm often working on homework or doing research), but I feel uncomfortable telling the employee and their companion to quiet down. I believe that the noise level within the computer rooms should be low.
  • Kick off people watching shows
  • Lower the printing costs for students.
  • Consider the ratio of students over computers, I think we need more campus computer rooms with computers available on campus.
  • Open a new center in the south side of campus
  • More sit-down computer stations. More tables to sit down & work.
  • The computer labs at Kemper have ridiculously bad support and performance - I should not have to switch between 5 machines until I find one which works properly.
  • Don't charge for printing.
  • Have more computers available for remote login software use
  • Make printing free. I hate the fact that I had to print things for a class I had in a lab and I had to spend money on it when I already spent money on lab fees that should cover the cost of printing. That is ridiculous and a waste of my money.
  • nope its a great system!
  • Upgrade the computers
  • More computers available, more remote computer use with faster feedback, cheaper print costs!
  • More people like Bradley Howard in the labs working.
  • I don't like how the computers kick you off when you are "inactive" for a few minutes. Much of what I do is read textbook/powerpoints on the computer and am taking notes. It is very frustrating when I get kicked off while trying to focus.. I think it would be better if students must log off manually. You can post a sign reminding them to do so. (This must be referring to a non-IET room since we don't have a automatic logout for inactive sessions in our rooms)
  • More locations and/or more computers available. Possibly one more printer per location to help with traffic.
  • There are many computer rooms in campus that are not open and they could be open. Sometimes I have to wait in line 20 minutes just to print or scan a homework assignment, sometimes I wait really long to be able to use a sit down computer because they are all busy; so as a student who uses campus resources, such as the computers from the computer labs, I think we should have more computer rooms open. They exist anyway, so why not have them open for students who really need them.
  • Sometimes the computer is extremely slow and repeat the same printing order........which waste my money and time,,,,,blow up the computer that is stupid!!!!!!!!
  • We really really need an IET computer/printing room in one of the engineering buildings!!
  • free prints!
  • I find the lab very helpful and essential as is.
  • We should be able to drink water next to computers as long as they're not on the desks.
  • Stop charging for god damn paper.
  • Longer available time, like weekend.
  • I love the computer lab!
  • the keyboards in the busy labs are all damaged and need to be replaced. The keys are worn so much that I can not touch type, it takes too much force to press down the keys.
  • sanitize computers everyday.
  • Recently, there have been some issues with the printing queue screen and some documents taking a long time to print in the Wellman printroom, but those issues have mostly been resolved.
  • Update the freshman dorm computer labs. They are slow and outdated.
  • There should be a computer lab in the MU
  • Have them in more locations
  • I think the campus computer rooms are great. c:
  • The lab in the MU was very convenient. Can we get it back?
  • Staff that makes sure there's ink in the printers
  • Having a big screen that shows which computers are available would be nice during times when the computer rooms are busy. This would kind of be like at a DMV where numbers are called to show that the service window is open.
  • The software on the library computers (not the lab) should be the same as what's on the lab computers.
  • All computer labs should be cleaned. All the class lab rooms too. Some of the labs are VERY dirty with filth. It would be nice to work in a clean environment.
  • It would be nice if we had more free prints per quarter. I honestly think this would make a huge difference as far as overall campus improvements are concerned.
  • As a freshman I had 200 free prints which were taken away at the end of each quarter and now I have to pay for my prints even though I barely used any of the 200 free prints I got per quarter last year. Isn't it reasonable to give each student free prints that can be used all four years? I cringe every time I have to use campus computer rooms and pay for printing because I should have free prints since I didn't use them freshman year.
  • is all gooood
  • More outlets / surge protectors in computer rooms. More available desk/table space for studying/personal computers. Better monitoring of computers for non-academic use. Monitoring for users not on computers but using space where others who have personal computers / need an outlet can have access for academic use. Make some computers rooms available ONLY for academic use. There are other places students can use computers for personal use. I personally only use the open computer labs strictly for academic use and I find it very annoying when people are hoarding a computer for non-academic use.
  • I really appreciate the quick-use stations in Shields.
  • Sometimes they cannot open pdfs from word. Sometimes the login servers don't work. Other times, the wifi goes down. Other than that, the computers are very useful.
  • I don't have any suggestions because every time I go to a computer room, all of my needs are met.
  • Make printing free
  • Have bigger computer rooms in the library
  • /more computers for to wait less
  • Some keyboards in the Wellman computer lab have dysfunctional buttons.
  • It would be extremely useful if civil engineers also had the ability to use a computer lab in an accessible area in or near Ghausi Hall. Also, due to the large quantities of paper required by professors for assignments, labs, lectures, and projects, free printing would also be gratefully appreciated.
  • There needs to be printing closer to the engineering buildings, specifically Ghausi Hall. When we have a deadline for assignments, it is very inconvenient to have to walk 10 minutes to the nearest printing area. There are computer labs in Ghausi, printing should be available.
  • It would be nice to have more access to Macs in the computer labs. I have sometimes had to wait to use one of only a couple Macs because I needed to print a PDF in a specific format that I only know how to do on a Mac.
  • Some of the keyboards are getting nasty (not dirty but old and sticky). Also maybe raise the free prints to 20-25 from 13?
  • Should not charge for printing in library.
  • The last time I tried to use it, the wireless printing did not work on Firefox, maybe this has been fixed. But even when I use Chrome, I don't like to use wireless printing--it feels like it takes longer than just emailing myself and I have had trouble with getting it to release.
  • Stricter no food or drink enforcement.
  • Some computers run to slow at times, language arts Macs are slow
  • Waive fees whenever possible! Pls
  • Good overall system. Very convenient for printing purposes.
  • It's small and a lot of people are in there. Make sure it stays sanitary.
  • Sometimes the using a remote desktop connection on a Mac to connect to a campus PC with the SAS software is glitchy. I would have to go in person to the campus computer rooms to use SAS due to this.
  • More available computer rooms.
  • When it gets busy, it's annoying that standing computers are limited to 10 minutes. Standing while using the computer is not super comfortable, so I assume that anyone using a standing computer has tons of work they are trying to get done (vs someone sitting at a computer who may or may not feel urgency to efficiently use their time). I find this especially annoying because I prefer to use the standing computers, but know that if I do around noon, I won't be able to work for very long before I'm asked to give up the computer -_-.
  • Provide free printing up to a certain number per year similar to how on campus freshmen had free prints for each quarter
  • The default mouse sensitivity is too fast. Also mouse pads would be nice (but they have to be the clothy ones, not the plasticy ones). Also a lot of the keyboards seem to wear out really fast, it might be more economical to get higher quality, longer lasting ones.
  • Port replicators so one could use a full size keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
  • The only critique I can provide is that on occasion someone accidentally plays audio files via speaker before self-correcting and plugging in the headphones. If there was a way that set the default volume of the user to mute in the absence of headphones (still changeable) then that seems like it could help people avoid that situation.
  • Choice of either mac OS or windows OS.

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