Digital behavior is constantly evolving and students expect their universities to keep pace. Thus found the recently published, large-scale digital resources survey conducted by Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University, carried out in 2015 with 18% of the school's student body.
"We often get negative feedback from our students regarding our digital resources," admits Yves Condemine, Lyon 3's Vice President of Digital Strategy. "Rather than use that fractured feedback, we opted for an exhaustive questionnaire."
The survey, one of the first of its size to be carried out at the university level, investigated students' digital needs and their expectations vis-à-vis their school. To encourage participation in the 140-question survey, which took an average of 16 minutes to complete, the school raffled off tablets and other electronics to 23 lucky participants.
BYOD
The main finding? According to Magali Ruillat, Digital Project Manager and survey head, "Our students aren't really looking for digital equipment. Mainly they want to use their own devices, consult digital resources more easily and access exam study modules."
Of those surveyed, 90.6% have a laptop, which most of them use to take notes in class. Only 15% of participants never use their devices during lectures. Condemine notes, "Our challenge is not to add more computers but to facilitate students' use of their own devices." For most students, increasing the number of outlets, Wi-Fi hotspots, scanners and printers is essential.
Working Better Together
"Collaborative learning has to be our focus," says Ruillat. Out with traditional computer labs, in with digital learning spaces. "Now we are installing six-person tables with monitors that facilitate screen sharing and group discussions."
Similar facilities already exist at the school's institute of technology. In several months, Lyon 3 will inaugurate a large workspace with group project areas separated by sound barriers and decorated with couches.
Condemine comments, "We sent the questionnaire to our colleagues so they can use it and update it." The long-term goal is to build a shared survey to enable different universities to develop their digital strategies.
