Survey Reveals Gaps in Partnerships, Trust Critical for Successful Integration of Technology in Higher Education

SALT LAKE CITY (June 7, 2023) – The College Innovation Network (CIN), a grant-funded initiative spearheaded by WGU Labs, today published the results of its 2023 CIN Faculty EdTech Survey. The second annual survey provides new critical insights – including the need for staff and student involvement in adopting educational technology (EdTech) in higher education learning – and shares the importance of evidence-based examples and regular audits for effective implementation.   

The survey, which included 491 faculty members from nine diverse colleges and universities across the country, found that while faculty members are generally positive about using technology in their teaching, many are dissatisfied with how technology is being implemented in their institutions. There are also concerns about EdTech’s anticipated future impact on student instruction.

The CIN Faculty EdTech Survey identified four key takeaways for institutions and EdTech vendors to improve the EdTech experience for both faculty and students:

• 83% of faculty respondents see value in Edtech for their teaching and learning, but almost one-third do not trust that available products are effective.
• Faculty perceive that college administrators – or those furthest away from the classroom – have the greatest influence on EdTech decisions. Only 22% believe that students have a high level of influence.
• Faculty are weary of a tech-enabled future. More than 50% of faculty members believe they will have less autonomy over their course design and 49% say that faculty will spend less time interacting with students.
• Nearly 80% of respondents feel like they are “always on the job because of technology,” leading to technology fatigue, burnout and lower job satisfaction.

“Given the rapid acceleration of EdTech in higher education since 2020, it is important for institutions to understand the impact on key users, including faculty, students, and administrators,” said Omid Fotuhi, Director of Learning and Innovation at WGU Labs. “Successful implementation depends on how faculty perceive, understand, and trust the use of technology to improve the student experience. We’ve identified actionable strategies from this year’s CIN Faculty EdTech Survey, which we believe will foster better technology integration in higher education to help realize the many possibilities of EdTech.”

As EdTech becomes increasingly prevalent in higher education, with proponents arguing that it increases college access, makes courses more engaging, and personalizes the learning experience, it is vital to address faculty pain points. Burnout and fatigue affect a significant portion of educators, with 44% of respondents reporting feeling burned out and 43% feeling emotionally exhausted due to their work. Technology fatigue emerged as a strong predictor of burnout, job dissatisfaction, and the likelihood of considering job changes within three years. To mitigate these issues, it is essential to strategically select technologies, redefine instructional models, and address technology-related stressors to promote faculty well-being.

For a full analysis of the survey findings, and actionable strategies to improve faculty experiences with EdTech, please visit www.wgulabs.org/posts/cin-faculty-edtech-survey-2nd-edition.

‍

About the College Innovation Network

The College Innovation Network (CIN) at WGU Labs is a grant-funded, research-oriented initiative that connects institutions with the best solutions to ensure student belonging, engagement, and equity. CIN supports educational institutions by identifying areas of need, supporting the implementation of effective education technology for students, and evaluating impact through research. Our goal is to have a meaningful impact on higher education at large through the evaluation of impactful solutions that promote belonging, engagement, and equity.

About the CIN EdTech Survey Series

CIN is in a unique position to learn about the student and faculty experience with EdTech by leveraging the diversity of institutions within the Network. The CIN EdTech Survey Series is an annual survey series administered across the Network with the goal of generating valuable insights to help institutions understand how faculty and students experience EdTech. These insights can be applied to improve faculty and student experiences, and ultimately bolster the impact of EdTech across the sector. To complement the student and faculty perspectives on EdTech, CIN will be launching a Survey with College Administrators in 2023. As CIN continues to grow, so will the impact of the CIN EdTech Survey Series. Queries about CIN, including how your institution can participate in future surveys, can be addressed to cin@wgulabs.org.