2014 Computer and Technology
Survey Executive Summary
Facilitated by University Housing
The purpose of this assessment is to learn about knowledge, opinions, and behaviors related to
technology preferences from University of South Carolina students currently living in the residence
halls. This survey was originally administered in 1999 during Fall Move-in Weekend with the objective
of learning about students’ use of computer technology. The survey has grown to incorporate additional
features, including questions regarding classroom technology and communication preferences. This
version also takes into consideration student behaviors specific to preferred technology-based products
and related usage, as well as television viewing preferences.
The survey was conducted over the course of two weeks during October 2014 to students living in USC
residence halls. The survey was sent via university-issued email accounts and reminders were sent with
the goal of increasing the overall response rate. Our target population consisted of 6651 students. Upon
its closure, 1396 respondents completed the survey for an overall response rate of 23%.
Demographic Breakdown:
Academic
Classification
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Graduate Students
Other
66%
11%
6%
3%
1%
0.1%
Ethnicity
American Indian/Alaska Native
1.4%
African American/Black
8%
Asian including South and
Southeast Asian
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
6%
Hispanic/Latino or Spanish
3%
White
79%
Other
3%
Gender
Woman
Man
Prefer not to respond
55%
34%
11%
0.4%
Residence Hall
Bates House
4%
Bates West
Capstone
Carolina Gardens
5%
14%
1%
Cliff Apartments
Columbia Hall
East Quad
Honors
2%
6%
6%
13%
Horseshoe
Maxcy
6%
3%
McBride
McClintock
Patterson
3%
2%
8%
Preston
Roost
Sims
South Quad
South Tower
3%
1%
4%
4%
6%
West Quad
Woodrow
7%
2%
Technology Brought to Campus
Which type of computer(s) did you bring to campus?
70
59%
60
53%
50%
50
53%51%
4 3%
40
PC
30
Mac
For the first time in several years, the
percentage of Mac products brought to
campus has decreased.
Other
20
10
5%
3%
4%
0
2012
2013
2014
Please indicate if you brought any of the following items to
access the wireless network:
92% 96%
81%
100%
In terms of items brought to
campus to access the wireless
network, increases were
visible in percentage of
tablets (+3%), cell phone
(+4%), and gaming systems
(+3%). Decreases were noted
in iPods/MP3 devices (-20%)
and wireless printers (-5%).
80%
60%
40%
20%
44%
34%
27%
24%
24%
18%
2012
20%18% 17%18% 21%
1 5%
1%
2013
2014
1%
0%
0%
iPad or
iPod or Cell phone Wireless
other other MP3
printer
tablet
device
machine
Gaming
system
None of
these
What type of Smartphone did you bring to campus?
100%
80 %
60 %
75%
70%
50%
2012
40 %
23%
19%
20 %
2013
20%
21%
3%1% 2%
9%
3%
0%
iPhone
Droid
Other
Do not have
a
Smartphone.
2014
Participants were also asked
whether they brought a
Smartphone to campus. iPhones
saw the largest increase (+25%)
from 2013 to 2014 while the
number of participants stating
they do not have a Smartphone
continues to decrease.
Facebook continues to be the most frequently selected online social networking site. In its first year, Vine
was selected by 23% of respondents.
No participation
In which online social networking
sites do you participate?
(Check all that apply)
2%
Other
5%
Google+
13%
Tumblr
21%
Vine
23%
Pinterest
38%
Twitter
68%
Instagram
75%
Facebook
92%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Participants were asked to share how they spent their time on a weekly basis with various
technology-based activities. Gaming and blogging activities were selected as consuming less time
than any other provided response item. Conversely, time spent on academic work on the
computer and streaming television or movie via the internet consume more time as noted across
participant responses.
How many hours per week do you spend on the following?
Academic work on computer
Blogs/V logs
E-mail
31+ hours
21-30 hours
Gami ng activities on computer
11-20 hours
Game system
6-10 hours
1-5 hours
Online social networking site
0 hours
Streaming television or movies via the internet
YouTube
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Communication Technology Behaviors
A question was posed regarding communication preferences. Participants noted texting as the most often
preferred method for communication with students (84%). Conversely, 72% of survey respondents selected
e-mail as the most preferred method of communication when originating from USC.
0.3%
2%
5%
Phone Call
8%
Phone Call
12%
Text Messaging
16%
E-mail
E-mail
72%
Online social
networking site
84%
Online social
netw orking site
89%
89%
Blackboard
27%
32%
26%
31%
21%
26%
27%
25%
Electronic whiteboard (Smartboar d)
Classroom response systems (iClicker)
Social networking
Online lec tures
Tablet PC
Document Camera (Elmo)
Podcasts
Instant messaging
Blogs
Wikis
E-portfolios
100%
10%
11%
14%
15%
7%
9%
7%
12%
6%
8%
5%
5%
6%
3%
0%
20%
2014
2013
40%
How often do you use your cell
phone during class (e.g., to text,
check Facebook, check e-mail,
browse the internet)?
80 %
60 %
Text Messaging
60%
100%
60 %
40 %
20 %
20 %
100%
How often do you use your cell phone
to check items related to involvement
in on-campus activities (e.g., student
organization updates)?
80 %
40 %
0%
80%
Participants were asked
about preferred
technology applications
for course activities
provided from
instructors. Blackboard
continued as the most
popular response (89%)
while E-portfolios were
selected twice as often
in 2014 as compared to
2013.
0%
Never
About once a 2-3 times per
class
class
4 or more
times per
class
Never
About
2-3 times 4 or more
once per per week times per
week
week
Daily
This report represents a summary of responses from the surveyed population. Please contact the University
Housing Assessment Office for additional information.
fallucca@mailbox.sc.edu/803-777-6708