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Accommodating students and their smart gadgets

Most students would give up coffee and TV before smart phones, reveals survey

Many students would rather give up coffee, television and eating out before their precious smart phones, according to a survey conducted by Aruba Networks. Nearly a fifth of these students (19 per cent) spend more than five hours online daily, preferring WiFi connections (73 per cent) over any other connections such as 3G or 4G, the survey titled ‘Building the #GenMobile Campus’ revealed.

The study, which questioned nearly 1,500 students across the globe including the UAE and Saudi Arabia — the two biggest IT markets in the Middle East — showed that nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of today’s students own three or more connected devices; often use more than five apps at any one time; and are regularly rejecting traditional lecture-hall based learning for digital working across campus.

About half even said they preferred to work ‘outside of normal school hours’, stating they worked more efficiently.

Even in lecture halls, they are going digital with 44 per cent using mobile devices to take notes during lectures, while seven in 10 (71 per cent) are using these devices to access college e-mails.

Aruba Networks said universities today are realising the advantages of using mobile technologies, for both students and lecturers, understanding that they allow for a diversification and evolvement in — often historic — teaching methods, which in turn offers flexibility to accommodate different styles of student learning.

“In any university or college, being connected is an essential part of life — both for work and play. It’s a central behaviour of the generation we’re calling #GenMobile,” said Ammar Enaya, general manager of Aruba Networks Middle East.

What is a mobile campus?

A network that says yes: Any device, any app, anytime, anywhere on campus; students need the freedom to find their best working environment, and university networks should be able to keep up.

Space for work and play: From streaming lectures online to multi-player gaming, the online experience is important.

Whether for work or social reasons, connection speeds should be good enough to accommodate connected students, not hinder them.

Eyes and ears: Students are the life force of any university or college. The campus should be built around them and networks should follow. Observe and understand individual requirements, listen to feedback on how experiences could be improved and accommodate them.

Unique experiences: Tailored content and services based on who the student is, where they are and what applications they are using.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com