Last month the Information Technology Division’s Mobile Technology task group, which includes members from the Centre for Teaching & Learning, Library & Information Service and e-Communication, ran a short online survey concerning students’ present and future preferences about mobile phones and tablets . The main aim of the survey was to ensure that Stellenbosch University is able to track trends in students’ mobile device choices so that relevant university mobile services are rolled out in future.

We all know that students love cool mobile apps, but we also know that most don’t have high-end Apple or Android devices – yet. We need to understand how fast that picture is changing so that we can ensure that mobile services and apps that make a real difference to students’ academic career and campus life are rolled out timeously.

The electronic survey invitation was sent to 25817 under- and postgraduate students and 13% participated. Results will be used in aggregate and statistical summary to inform the university’s mobile strategy. Thanks to the survey, we came across some interesting facts regarding mobile use and expectations of students.

Most students choose their cell phone based on its cost-efficient communication with friends and family and not necessarily as a status symbol, nor for its functionality. It does seem from the results that there might be a significant move away from Blackberrys to Android and iOS (Apple) phones over the next year, although Blackberrys remain popular on campus.

More than half of the survey participants would prefer it if the university suggests specific types of tablets for academic-related use. The most important mobile applications, listed in order of importance, are exam results, exam and class schedules, task information, calendars (class, modules, academic, sport, etc.) and learning content.

The survey was anonymous and no response was linked to any individual. One lucky winner did walk away with a R1500 Incredible Connection voucher. Thank you to all participating students for their valuable input.

A similar survey will be run in approximately six months’ time.

In September het die Afdeling Informasietegnologie se Mobiele Tegnologie Taakgroep, wat lede van die Sentrum vir Leer en Onderrig, Biblioteek- en Inligtingsdienste en e-Kommunikasie insluit, `n kort aanlyn opname oor selfone en tablette geloods om studente se huidige en toekomstige behoeftes te bepaal.

Die hoofdoel van hierdie opname was om te verseker dat Universiteit Stellenbosch in staat is om tendense in studente se keuse van mobiele toestelle te volg om te verseker dat relevante en ooreenstemende dienste in die toekoms uitgerol kan word.

Ons almal weet dat studente hou van cool selfoontoepassings, maar ons weet ook dat die meeste studente nie die nuuste topvlak Apple of Android toestelle het nie – wel, nog nie. Ons moet kan verstaan hoe vinnig die prentjie verander sodat ons kan sekermaak dat mobiele toestelle en toepassings wat `n daadwerklike verskil in studente se akademiese loopbaan en kampuslewe betyds geimplementeer word.

Die elektroniese opname is gestuur na 25817 voor- en nagraadse studente en 13%  het deelgeneem. Resultate sal in  `n algehele en statistieke opsomming gebruik word om die universiteit se mobiele strategie te bepaal. Te danke aan die opname, het ons afgekom op `n hele paar interessante feite oor mobiele gebruik en die verwagtinge van studente.

Die meeste studente kies hulle selfoon op grond van koste-effektiewe kommunikasie met vriende en familie en nie noodwendig as `n statussimbool of vir die foon se funksionaliteit nie. Dit wil wel voorkom asof daar oor die volgende paar jaar `n beduidende skuif weg gaan wees van Blackberrys na Android en iOS (Apple), alhoewel Blackberrys steeds populêr op kampus is.

Meer as die helfte van deelnemers aan die opname sal dit verkies as die universiteit spesifieke tablette vir akademiese gebruik voorstel.  Die belangrikste mobiele toepassings, in volgorde van belangrikheid, is eksamenresultate, eksamen- en klasskedules, inligting vir take, kalenders (klas, modules, akademies, sport, ens. ) en leerinhoud.

Deelname aan die opname was anoniem en antwoorde is nie gekoppel aan `n spesfieke individu nie. Een deelnemer was egter die gelukkige wenner van `n  R1500 Incredible Connection geskenkbewys. Dankie aan alle deelnemende studente vir hul waardevolle insette.

`n Soortgelyke opname sal oor ses maande weer gehou word.