Today's Wired Classrooms Advanced technology enhances education

摘要

While it may seem like just one more bell or whistle, technol ogy is becoming a major factor for prospective students as they study their campus options. In fact, the 201121st Century Campus Report from CDW-G, the government services arm of computer retailer CDW, notes that 87 percent of current college students considered their institution's technology in their decision to attend that school. And, the company's companion study of high school students finds that 92 percent of that group sees technol ogy as an important component of their college-selection process. Of course, "technology" is a broad term, and some ele ments of educational technology are more highly valued than others. When presenting their results at a recent campus tech nology conference, CDW-G found participants in a student panel deemed campuswide wireless Internet access to be the base-level technology students now expect, according to Andy Lausch, the company's vice president for higher education. But this starting point isn't standing still, Lausch said. "One important finding from this year's report is that cam pus technology is growing," he said. "An increasing number of students and faculty [are] reporting that digital content and virtual learning are essential elements to the classroom."