Literature Review
Technology today is used to enhance human experiences like friendship, music, entertainment and research. Though today’s traditional university student has been molded and shaped by technology, universities are often slow to utilize technology to enhance the student experience. These traditional students aptly named the “Net Generation” are finding it harder and harder to connect with universities. The Net Generation has been raised with technology from birth making the use of technology for university student’s second nature. Universities therefore, must be prepared to communicate in ways that embrace technology.
In order to meet the needs of students universities are beginning to feel the pressure to change. In addition to the new Net Generation student, external forces have started influencing higher education. Tuition increases are exceeding regular amounts of inflation and there is a growing belief that university educations should be paid for by students, not taxpayers (Junco, & Cotton, 2011). These ideas have started to shift the delivery of federal student aid programs and services, which greatly affects the management of universities. There is also the rise of for profit educational institutions to consider. Institutions like the University of Phoenix have started to affect the delivery of both online and on campus courses, as well as student support services. External changes like these give universities motivation to examine policies, practices and the application of technology to create more effective, engaging student services.
In order to meet the needs of students universities are beginning to feel the pressure to change. In addition to the new Net Generation student, external forces have started influencing higher education. Tuition increases are exceeding regular amounts of inflation and there is a growing belief that university educations should be paid for by students, not taxpayers (Junco, & Cotton, 2011). These ideas have started to shift the delivery of federal student aid programs and services, which greatly affects the management of universities. There is also the rise of for profit educational institutions to consider. Institutions like the University of Phoenix have started to affect the delivery of both online and on campus courses, as well as student support services. External changes like these give universities motivation to examine policies, practices and the application of technology to create more effective, engaging student services.