Student Survey - Winter 2023

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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 with 95.4% owning laptops and 17.0% owning desktops. Only 3 students (2.0%) reported they didn't own a computer.
  • Smartphone ownership remains close to universal (98.0%).
  • Tablet ownership made a large jump from 2020 to 2022. Perhaps the jump was caused by the pandemic somehow (easier to annotate notes on PDFs sent out by faculty, watching streaming services, etc.).
  • Mac ownership has grown from 7.2% in Winter 2006 to 41.2% in Winter 2023. Mac ownership was briefly higher than PC ownership, but has dipped lower this year.
  • Most students are staying relatively current with their operating system (Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS 12 or macOS 13). In past years more students were using older versions.
  • 4 students (2.6%) reported their primary computer used ChromeOS. Those students might have difficulty in some classes since some required software only works on macOS or Windows.
  • Questions 3 & 7 show that students mostly use the computer rooms:
    • To print (mostly class related)
    • They have a class in a computer classroom
    • When they leave their laptop at home
    • To access specialized software
    • To access academic websites
  • Due to the pandemic fewer students used the drop-in computer labs, so the percentage who reported they had a class in a computer classroom increased as the number who only used the drop-in labs was much less.
  • Printing appears to be the primary reason 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.
  • Google Docs has now supplanted Microsoft Office as the most commonly used office suite. Google Drive has been the most common method for transferring files for a few years. Many K-12 schools are heavily invested in Chromebooks and the Google environment, so these changes might be a reflection of those students' experiences.
  • Question 8 shows that the sheets required to meet a student's academic printing needs varies widely depending on the student. In comparing to Winter 2020 students overall report they need less printing. The pandemic probably shifted classes to electronic handouts and submissions.
  • Question 9 garnered a wide variety of responses, but the most common themes are:
    • Several students requested free and/or cheaper printing
    • Several students wanted more access to the IET Virtual Lab

    Survey Text

    On March 13th, 2023 Computer Lab Management (CLM) sent the following survey 5000 students who had uses the campus computer rooms during Winter 2023.

    Survey Results

    There were 153 responses.

    Question 1. Class Standing

      Number Percentage
    First year 24 15.7%
    Second year 32 20.9%
    Third year 41 26.8%
    Fourth year 35 22.9%
    Fifth or more year 10 6.5%
    Masters candidate 1 0.7%
    PhD candidate 8 5.2%
    Professional School 1 0.7%

    Question 2a. What types of computers do you own?

      Number Percentage
    Desktop 26 17.0%
    Laptop 146 95.4%

    Question 2b. Which of these other electronic devices do you own?

      Number Percentage
    Tablet 87 56.9%
    Smartphone 150 98.0%
    eReader 22 14.4%

    Question 3. Why do you use the computer rooms?

      Number Percentage
    I don't own a computer 3 2.0%
    When my laptop/phone runs out of power 24 15.7%
    When I leave my laptop at home 45 29.4%
    I use systems in the IET Virtual Lab 25 16.3%
    Access academic related websites (Canvas, DavisMail, SISWeb, etc.) 33 21.6%
    Access websites for non-academic reasons 4 2.6%
    I need to print 80 52.3%
    I need access to specialized software which I do not own 38 24.8%
    I need access to specialized hardware which I do not own (e.g. scanners, video editors, etc.) 12 7.8%
    The campus computers have faster Internet access 17 11.1%
    The campus computers work better than mine 12 7.8%
    The campus computers have bigger monitors than my laptop 26 17.0%
    I have a class that meets in a computer classroom 61 39.9%
    Other 11 7.2%

    Other Reasons Listed:

    • stapler, tape
    • More convenient than bringing my laptop
    • The computer rooms are relatively quiet.
    • It’s a good focused environment to work in
    • when my computer broke for 3 weeks computer room was my only laptop access
    • My computer is very heavy and very old, I would prefer not to move it around campus. I also get work done better in the school computer labs
    • One class in the room to learn how to use excel
    • Staple paper
    • Photoshop, Illustrator and all other adobe programs is what I mostly use as I dont have them on my own computer, the larger screen helps also.
    • More productive on campus than at home.
    • I don't want to bring my laptop everywhere and I have breaks between classes that I can go to the computer room to do homework.
    • i need to use multiple softwares as a design major so it is easier to use the lab computers that already have them dowloaded. it also helps me focus to work in the lab.
    • Instructed to use the computer room during one mat22al lab.
    • Convenience (using computer in short periods of time between classes, for instance)
    • Need to be wired in to campus network for work
    • Good working environment

    Question 4.  What additional devices or services you would like in the computers rooms?

    • None
    • N/A
    • None, I am happy with the services provided.
    • no
    • printing
    • N/A
    • No
    • free printing
    • n/a
    • Mainly just printing
    • No.
    • It would be nice to be able to borrow chargers to use in the computer rooms
    • not that i Can think of
    • I don't have anything in mind since I only need the computer rooms to print
    • Printing
    • The Computers cannot SSH into CSIF computers. This is affecting all students taking CS class
    • N/A
    • Maybe some editing software?
    • Apple computers
    • I think its g, juts keep adobe
    • n/a
    • Free printing for students, free software licenses for students such as Stata
    • tablets for drawing for architecture, chemistry, other classes
    • power outlet for charging
    • Aspen
    • Headphone availability in the computer rooms would be nice.
    • Nothing. Everything is good.
    • Spss & printing
    • In my experience my lap top and the printing center has been enough for me.
    • Scanner for submitting lab diagrams
    • N/A
    • n/a
    • No
    • None.
    • No
    • No
    • None at the moment, the IET rooms tend to everything I need
    • not sure
    • editing videos
    • No
    • no
    • none
    • The computer room has everything I need
    • Cant think of any?
    • I mainly use the computers to print and for design softwares such as Adobe. I think more printing options would be nice. In design, we are required to print different sized poster with different types of paper and if it’s not available in the computer room I have to go to an off campus print shop which is not efficient.
    • Printing
    • Not currently but the ability to scan or edit videos if needed in the future would be nice.
    • snacks
    • I don't think so. I think having the ability to print and scan is great!

    Question 5.  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 15 9.8%
    Laptop 131 85.6%
    No answer 7 4.6%

    Operating System:

      Number Percentage
    ChromeOS 4 2.6%
    Windows 11 47 30.7%
    Windows 10 27 17.6%
    Windows - older version 0 0%
    Windows - not sure what version 3 2.0%
    macOS 13 Ventura 25 16.3%
    macOS 12 Monterey 17 11.1%
    macOS 11 Big Sur 6 3.9%
    macOS - older version 1 0.7%
    macOS - not sure what version 14 9.2%
    Linux or Unix 0 0%
    Other 1 0.7%

    Office Suite:

      Number Percentage
    Microsoft Office 365 (online version) 26 17.0%
    Microsoft Office 2021 (Mac/PC) 22 14.4%
    Microsoft Office 2019 (Mac/PC) 10 6.5%
    Older version of Microsoft Office 2 1.3%
    Pages, Numbers & Keynote (Apple) 3 2.0%
    OpenOffice, LibreOffice, FreeOffice 0 0.0%
    Google Docs 67 43.8%
    Not sure 4 2.6%

    Printer:

      Number Percentage
    None 100 65.4%
    Ink Jet 18 11.8%
    Laser 8 5.2%
    Other 6 3.9%

    Please check all the peripherals you own:

      Number Percentage
    USB flash drive 77 50.3%
    External hard drive 31 20.3%
    Scanner 15 9.8%
    3D Printer 3 2.0%

    Question 6. How do you normally transfer your work from one computer to another:

      Number Percentage
    USB flash drive 4 2.6%
    Portable hard drive 0 0.0%
    Email file to yourself 42 27.5%
    Google Drive 70 45.8%
    Box.com 1 0.7%
    Microsoft OneDrive 9 5.9%
    Dropbox 1 0.7%
    iCloud 5 3.3%
    Other Internet or cloud based file storage 1 0.7%
    AirDrop (to/from IET computer) 9 5.9%
    Other 3 2.0%

    Other Reasons Listed:

    • discord/messenger myself
    • then add to my drive and download
    • google drive but tbh i send a lot of files to myself over a personal discord server.... tech genius over here
    • Discord

    Question 7. If you have printed in the computer rooms, why did you print?

      Number Percentage
    I didn't print in the computer rooms 42 27.5%
    I don't own a printer 85 55.6%
    I printed class assignments (e.g. essays, homework, labs) 68 44.4%
    I printed class materials (e.g. research, syllabi, readings) 48 31.4%
    I printed personal documents (not class related) 37 24.2%
    The campus printers are better than mine 7 4.6%

    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 109 71.2%
    26 to 50 sheets 14 9.2%
    51 to 75 sheets 3 2.0
    76 to 100 sheets 4 2.6%
    101 to 150 sheets 1 0.7%
    150 to 200 sheets 2 1.3%
    Over 200 sheets 2 1.3%

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

    • None! All the computer techs in the TLC are great, its an inviting atmosphere. I'll be back to print more stuff next quarter too!
    • I exclusively use the IET Virtual Lab for access to Stata (although I've now purchased it) and Adobe Creative. I don't entirely understand how the IET Virtual Lab works although I have often attempted to access it and it was unavailable. This was happening frequently while trying to use it during a quantitative research course last year so I bought Stata for personal use.
    • No
    • free printing
    • n/a
    • Sometimes there are CRC consultants that are chatting with other employees. They’re so loud, laughing, borderline yelling. It’s annoying and distracting.
    • Please improve the speed and reliability of the wi-fi in Wellman Hall. It is much slower and cuts out more regularly than anywhere else I've been on campus.
    • I think the employees are really kind and helpful! I’m glad our campus has dedicated tech support from other students, because they really understand our needs
    • really appreciate having access to these rooms, sometimes they get very crowded though
    • Bluetooth accessible computers
    • I don't have any suggestions because I only need the computer rooms to print
    • I've been very satisfied with my needs using the IET Virtual Lab being met.
    • Open a lot earlier for printing
    • N/A
    • Keep open later on fridays.
    • I do wish that there was ore transparency on the exact number of pages you can print without being fined. I know it's only a couple but I could never find the exact number
    • I pay so much for tuition, yet it costs money to use the school printer
    • Virtual lab to be available during daytime - computer labs are not usually full during the day, but it is often a hassle to visit campus and the computer labs just for one hour during the day
    • More dual monitor computers - the SCC only has four, and normally in the middle of the day they are all occupied!
      But overall, it is a wonderful study space. Shoutout to the SCC employees. They do a great job. They are often bossed around by an older man and sometimes I feel bad for them....but they are always so polite when he bosses them around
    • Can you please provide better printing directions for each lab room? Sometimes, configurations seem to differ for the same printing manner in different computer rooms and I end up printing in a way which was not expected and it's annoying to get charged for printing I have to throw away.
    • No
    • more locations scattered around campus.
    • Yes - in the past if you were within a certain number of pages you were not charged. The university loves to give vague reasons for why they “can no longer cover the fees.” My tuition should be plenty to cover that $15 especially with park mobile making the parking rates sky rocket on campus and the other money the university makes from their facilities (ex: selling milk to hillshire farms). Oh and all that money that allocate to sports teams. Surely we can cover their protein bars and multi coaches but not a few pages for other students?? Makes No sense
    • Well run and clean, staff helpful.
    • N/A
    • N/A
    • NO
    • No
    • Make it free. We already pay high campus fees... what else does that go to if not amenities?
    • I heard that every students have chances to print some pages for free, but I didn’t find any place I could do that. Maybe it’s better send email to all students about information about printing.
    • none
    • The online page that shows available times and software in different computer rooms on campus is very useful.
    • Rentable laptops seems like a good idea, though I personally wouldnt need one
    • No. I would also like to note that the student employees of the Hutchison Hall basement computer room were very kind and helpful!
    • Maybe just promote their services more so that students have a better idea of all the things they have available to them.

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