CSD Student Survey Summer Term 2006

 

All undergraduate and taught postgraduate (including Laureate) students were emailed on Friday 26th May and asked to complete an online web-based survey on CSD services by the last day of term, a fortnight later, on Friday 9th June. Those who submitted their responses by Friday 2nd June were entered into a prize draw and from these 3 winners have been randomly selected, who will each receive a cheque for £25. 1522 responses were received, which is 8.37% of the total 18183 students emailed.

 

As for the last student survey conducted in May 2005, the questions focused on Helpdesk services, the Virtual Learning Environment (VITAL), the Personal Development Program (LUSID), personal computer ownership, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) ownership, mobile phone ownership, the wireless service (ROAMNET) plus other modes of Internet access and the Windows Terminal Service (WTS). In addition, students this year were asked for their views on the Student Portal which went into service during the Autumn Term 2005.

 

Overall, the student responses are very positive about CSD services. Key findings include:

  • Asked for their overall impression, 94% were satisfied with the computing and information technology services provided by CSD. This is a slight increase on last year’s 93.7% figure. 
  • 83% were satisfied with the CSD Helpdesk services, though only 44% had required Helpdesk services. The satisfaction rating is slightly less than last year’s of 84%. Significantly less students had required Helpdesk services compared to the 49.5% of last academic year. 
  • 94% reported they were using VITAL (up on last year’s figure of 90.5%). 88% reported it was easy to use (same as last year) and 89% were satisfied with the service (up slightly on last year’s figure of 88%).
  • Only 29% have used LUSID (but significantly up on last year’s figure of 16%) and 83% of those because it was compulsory as part of their course programme.
  • 28% of respondents were in Halls of Residence accommodation, with a network connection, and 89% of those are satisfied with the RESNET service.
  • 94% have access to a computer at their home or hall of residence (up on last year’s figure of 92%). Of these, 91% own the computer (same figure as last year) and 95% have Internet connectivity (up on last year’s figure of 88%).
    (When first year undergraduates were asked the same question in December 2003: 80% had access to a computer at their home or hall of residence and, of those, 87.1% owned the computer and 76.5% had Internet connectivity.)
  • 88% are currently running Windows XP on their own computer, 5% Windows 2000, 3% Apple Mac, less than 0.5% Linux and the other 3.5% are running older versions of Windows operating systems.
  • 45% are desktop and 55% laptop computers (last year’s breakdown was 47.7% desktop and 52.3% laptop).
    (When first year undergraduates were asked the same question in December 2003: 53.2% were desktop and 46.8% laptop computers.)
  • 28% expressed interest in a laptop computer rental scheme being made available to students. Of those, 52% said that a monthly cost of between £25-30 for the loan of the laptop (including maintenance, insurance, Microsoft Windows XP and Office 2003) would be the most they could afford. One month rental periods when required attracted the most interest.
  • Only 6% own a PDA (this is down on last year’s figure of 6.5%).
  • 74% had heard of ROAMNET and, of those, 38% had used and 87% were satisfied with the service.
    40% had heard of WTS and, of those, 63% had used and 89% were satisfied with the service.
    These figures are all up on last year which does indicate that we have had success in making students aware of these services and the benefits they offer.
  • 86% have used the University of Liverpool Student Portal and 90% of those were satisfied with the service.
  • A staggering 99% own a mobile phone and 79% would be interested in receiving urgent messages from the University, such as change of lecture times and venues, via text messages to their phones as well as by email.
  • Asked which of  a number of improvements to CSD services would be of most interest, the ranking (in descending order) is:

o       More Teaching Centre PCs

o       More printing in Teaching Centres

o       Extended Teaching Centre opening hours

o       More ROAMNET

o       More network filestore quota (M: drive)

o       PDF writing software on the MWS

o       Better support for laptop problems

o       Extended Helpdesk opening hours.

 

Sue Byrne

Head of User Services

Computing Services Department

13th June 2006