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The report outlines six aspects of the student experience in higher education, including satisfaction with technology-related services and supports; modality preferences; hybrid learning experiences; generative AI in the classroom; workforce preparation; and accessibility and mental health.
Key technology service and support findings include:
- While most students (69%) said they were satisfied with tech-related services and support, 72% rated their institution’s use of technology for enhancing education as “average.”
- Students who see their institution as cutting-edge in technology adoption are more satisfied (85%) with tech services and support than those who view their institution as average (68%) or behind the times (34%).
- Students at institutions perceived as technology leaders feel more career-ready and confident in the value of their education.
Bridging the Technology Gap
To help bridge the gap between student expectations and delivery, institutions can:
1. Invest in Comprehensive Video Solutions: The report notes, “Video content (e.g., recorded lectures, instructional videos, multimedia resources) helps students grasp difficult concepts and provides flexibility in learning (i.e., students can learn asynchronously on their own time).”
Institutions should adopt a Video Platform with tools that are easy to use by students and instructors. Encourage content creators to add interactive features like video quizzing, and show students how to use tools like in-video comments, video search, and more to improve learning and comprehension.
2. Prioritize Accessibility and Flexibility: “Technology helps personalize the learning experience and makes it more engaging (e.g., through the use of adaptive learning features, virtual tutoring, and interactive and individualized content and feedback),” the report states.
Institutional leaders and instructors should help ensure content is accessible to all learners by using tools that offer automatic captioning, transcriptions, various alternative formats, and offline viewing options.
3. Streamline Technology: “Students want more seamless technology experiences,” the report says. Further, “ Course materials that are not well-adapted for online platforms result in confusing formats, submission errors, and grading issues (i.e., when rigid, automated grading is implemented).”
Create a cohesive learning environment through tight LMS integration; reduce student frustration with single sign-on across systems, and work to maintain a consistent user experience across institutional platforms. In addition, conduct regular technology audits to identify redundant systems, outdated platforms, or disconnected tools that create friction in the student experience, and develop a strategic plan to consolidate or replace them with more integrated solutions.
4. Use Analytics to Make More Informed Decisions: Track how students interact with content to identify engagement patterns, analyze the relationship between engagement and academic achievement, and continuously improve the learning experience.
5. Invest in Technology Professional Development: The report indicates that students value instructors who effectively use technology in teaching. Help instructors use video technology effectively by offering training programs and support, and by creating technology champions who can mentor others and promote wider adoption.
The report is clear: institutions that effectively use technology create better student experiences and outcomes. By adopting tools and solutions that are intuitive, accessible, and integrate with other technologies, institutions can bridge the technology gap and position themselves as leaders in educational innovation.
