Technophobes beware, UW-Madison students are now more computer and Internet-oriented than ever, according to a UW-Madison Division of Information Technology survey.
The survey, conducted between February and April 2004, revealed students polled averaged 26.5 hours per week on the Internet, an increase of almost 87 percent since 2000, according to a DoIT press release.
The survey, which was given to 1,600 randomly selected students, also showed 89 percent of UW-Madison students rely on a primary e-mail address and 42 percent use cable modems to connect to the Internet.
DoIT spokesperson Brian Rust said the high number of UW-Madison students owning computers, well over 90 percent, has caused DoIT to alter the nature of its surveys.
\Several years ago we would ask, 'What kind of operating system do you use? Do you own a computer?,' stuff like that,"" he said. ""These kinds of basic figures don't really mean a lot anymore.""
Nick Heckman, a UW-Madison sophomore who said he spends about 10 to 15 hours per week online, said he uses it largely for academic purposes.
""A lot of the courses I'm taking have online requirements,"" he said.
Many students' Internet use has increased due to the amount of course-related content available online, according to Rust.
Students are not the only ones who have caught the tech bug on the UW-Madison campus, however. Many faculty members on campus now utilize technology in the classroom as well.
Jack Mitchell, UW-Madison journalism professor, said he began using his computer in class when his class roster began numbering in the hundreds.
""I figured that in that size group it would be useful to have something visual besides just looking at me,"" he said.
Mitchell said the use of his computer in class allowed students to better understand the main points of his lectures, as well as improved Mitchell's own understanding of the material.
The only drawback to computer usage, aside from periodic technical glitches, was that students were being ""spoon-fed"" the points of the lecture, according to Mitchell.
Still, he said the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.
""I'm glad I [use my computer in class], and I will continue to do it,"" he said.
