Student Technology Rollouts in Higher Education: Lessons From DISCOVERe

ICT rollouts are no longer discretionary: they have become a mandatory function of effective educational institutions. This study examines the rollout of tablet technology at a public, four-year university with particular attention to variations within the student population and the student voice. The research questions included: Do expectations about new technologies vary among students according to socioeconomic factors? If expectations vary, then how do variations within the student population affect student response to ICT rollouts in higher education? Can attention to the student voice, including any variations within the student population, help higher educational institutions field more successful technology rollouts? The study found significant variation among students in the factors affecting technology adoption, which in turn affected the way the rollout was received by students. The study points to ways attention to the student voice can positively inform future technology rollouts.