Student Perceptions Of The Value Of A University Laptop Program

Abstract

In the fall of 2000, when a mandatory laptop program was initiated at a Midwest regional university, a faculty research team began a longitudinal study to determine student perceptions of the value of the program. Value was defined as usefulness of the computer, reasonable price for the computer and the quality of the computer. A survey of 1,000 first-time full time university students were surveyed in 2000 and five years later in the fall of 2005. Significant differences were found on all three variables indicating that student perceptions of the usefulness, price, and quality of the computer increased from 2000 to 2005. Based on these findings, recommendations are offered to administrators and faculty who may be considering the adoption of a computer requirement.