During fall 2002, the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) administered a member survey developed by NACADA's Technology in Advising Commission. The goal of the survey was to assess member background and needs concerning the use of technology in advising. Survey results will be used to guide the work of NACADA and the Technology Commission in developing programs and services for all NACADA members.

The anonymous survey consisted of twenty-one items (fifteen items related to members' use, knowledge, and access to technology, five demographic items, and one open-ended comment). The survey was available on the Web (as well as in paper format for those who requested it) for three weeks. An e-mail announcement regarding the survey was sent to all members, followed by several e-mail reminders. Over 800 of the approximately 6,000 NACADA members responded to the survey.

This preliminary report summarizes a portion of the data obtained from the survey. Future reports will include a copy of the complete survey, additional tables and charts, summaries of the free-format responses, analyses of the data, and recommendations based on these analyses for the development and/or modification of member programs and services.

In your advising role, which technologies do you use on a regular basis? (check all that apply)

e-mail (Eudora, Outlook, etc.)	97.07%
Web browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.)	90.96%
Spreadsheet software (Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, etc.)	51.28%
Word processing software (Word, WordPerfect, etc.)	88.77%
Presentation software (Freelance Graphics, PowerPoint, etc.)	45.30%
Database software (Access, FileMaker Pro, etc.)	46.89%
Electronic calendar (Lotus Organizer, Outlook, etc.)	58.12%
Voice recognition software (NaturallySpeaking, ViaVoice, etc.)	1.83%
Web page software (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, FrontPage, etc.)	25.40%
Brochure/document editors (PageMaker, Publisher, etc.)	29.18%
Graphics software (Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, PhotoShop, etc.)	11.23%
Instant messaging (Instant Messenger, Netmeeting, ICQ, etc.)	10.38%
Course management software (Blackboard, WebCT, etc.)	20.63%
Handheld devices (Palm, Visor, etc.)	13.31%
Assistive/adaptive devices (screen readers, Braille displays, etc.)	1.34%
No Response	0.12%

How comfortable are you with the technology you must use in your day-to-day advising activities?

Very comfortable	63.98%
Fairly comfortable	31.26%
I just get by	3.42%
I am not up to speed	0.73%
Not at all comfortable	0.12%
No Response	0.49%

Which technologies would you like to learn more about? (check no more than three)

e-mail (Eudora, Outlook, etc.)	2.56%
Web browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.)	3.79%
Spreadsheet software (Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, etc.)	16.36%
Word processing software (Word, WordPerfect, etc.)	1.95%
Presentation software (FreeLance Graphics, PowerPoint, etc.)	27.59%
Database software (Access, FileMaker Pro, etc.)	31.38%
Electronic calendar (Lotus Organizer, Outlook, etc.)	11.84%
Voice recognition software (NaturallySpeaking, ViaVoice, etc.)	11.36%
Web page software (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, FrontPage, etc.)	38.71%
Brochure/document editors (PageMaker, Publisher, etc.)	27.47%
Graphics software (Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, PhotoShop, etc.)	27.84%
Instant messaging (Instant Messenger, Netmeeting, ICQ, etc.)	9.77%
Course management software (Blackboard, WebCT, etc.)	26.62%
Handheld devices (Palm, Visor, etc.)	18.32%
Assistive/adaptive devices (screen readers, Braille displays, etc.)	9.65%
No Response	10.87%

Which of the following are generally available ONLINE to students on your campus? (check all that apply)

Transcripts	60.68%
Grades	83.52%
Degree audits	45.30%
Advising appointment scheduling	8.42%
Course registration	77.29%
Grade average calculators	30.77%
Financial aid information	74.11%
Textbook ordering	41.03%
Your institution's college catalog	90.35%
Institution-wide advising handbook	23.93%
Information about the student's assigned advisor	30.40%
Student ID photos	5.49%
No Response	2.08%

Which of the following are generally available ONLINE to advisors on your campus? (check all that apply)

Transcripts	78.27%
Grades	87.18%
Degree audits	57.88%
Advising appointment scheduling	33.09%
Course registration	80.95%
Grade average calculators	36.02%
Financial aid information	49.33%
Textbook ordering	30.77%
Your institution's college catalog	87.67%
Institution-wide advising handbook	30.04%
Information about the student's assigned advisor	38.10%
Student ID photos	8.06%
No Response	2.08%

Do you have access to an online or electronic roster of your assigned advisees?

Yes	45.54%
No	35.29%
N/A	19.05%
No Response	0.12%

Do you have an easy way to communicate with all your advisees simultaneously via e-mail (e.g., listserv, e-mail spreadsheet, online e-mail roster, etc.)?

Yes	54.95%
No	37.24%
N/A	7.45%
No Response	0.37%

Do you require students to use their institutionally assigned e-mail address when they request information via e-mail from you?

Yes	20.27%
No	71.79%
N/A	7.33%
No Response	0.61%

Is there an office or working group at your institution that is responsible for discussing, recommending, and/or developing technology resources that support, at least in part, institution-wide academic advising?

Yes	63.74%
No	31.01%
N/A	3.05%
No Response	2.20%

Which delivery method would be the BEST way for you to learn more about the various technologies and their impact on academic advising?

Conference presentations/workshops	31.26%
Special institutes	7.20%
Web-based tutorials or Webcasts	26.86%
Another NACADA monograph	1.83%
NACADA Newsletter articles	5.98%
NACADA Journal articles	1.59%
A specialized newsletter or mailing list	7.20%
Videotapes/CDs	3.17%
Listservs, online chats, etc.	4.27%
Campus visits by NACADA experts	6.35%
Other:	1.83%
No Response	2.44%

Which delivery method would be the NEXT BEST way for you to learn more about the various technologies and their impact on academic advising?

Conference presentations/workshops	19.41%
Special institutes	10.26%
Web-based tutorials or Webcasts	18.44%
Another NACADA monograph	3.30%
NACADA Newsletter articles	7.08%
NACADA Journal articles	3.91%
A specialized newsletter or mailing list	10.74%
Videotapes/CDs	8.06%
Listservs, online chats, etc.	7.08%
Campus visits by NACADA experts	6.96%
Other	1.10%
No Response	3.66%

In your opinion, which topics must be addressed in any new monograph covering the effective use of technology in advising? (check all that apply)

Accessibility issues	48.11%
Advising notes (electronic)	54.09%
Appointment-scheduling software	34.07%
CDs (for freshman orientation, presenting info, etc.)	29.30%
Data warehouses	17.70%
Degree audits	48.47%
Electronic advising rosters	28.69%
Electronic advising portfolios (student/advisor)	42.12%
Electronic documents (scanning/storing/retrieving)	24.30%
Electronic forms processing	27.23%
e-mail (confidentiality issues)	47.86%
e-mail (managing it)	34.31%
Handheld devices (PDAs)	12.70%
HTML (developing Web pages for beginners)	24.54%
Innovative uses of old technologies	19.78%
Interactive advising Web sites	47.74%
Online transfer credit evaluation/audits	48.47%
Student information systems	33.46%
Tips/tricks for using common software	32.72%
Using technology to advise distance learners	29.55%
Videoconferencing	10.26%
Webcasts	9.28%
Web surveys (evaluation of advising, etc.)	31.14%
Wireless communication	7.45%
Other	1.83%
No Response	6.23%

Demographic items

Gender

Female	75.70%
Male	23.20%
No Response	1.10%

Age

Under 22	0.12%
22-30	14.41%
31-40	34.43%
41-50*	(n/a)
51-60	35.04%
61-70	4.03%
Over 70	0.12%
No Response	11.84%

*range inadvertently omitted

Role

Faculty Advisor	7.81%
Academic Advisor/Counselor	57.14%
Advising Administrator	28.69%
Counselor	1.22%
Staff Assistant	0.37%
Other	3.05%
No Response	1.71%

Institutional type

Two-year	19.41%
Four-year private	16.24%
Four-year public	62.64%
No Response	1.71%

Institution size

Less than 2,500	9.40%
2,501 - 5,000	11.48%
5,001 - 10,000	18.93%
10,001 - 20,000	23.08%
20,001 - 30,000	18.32%
30,001 - 40,000	9.77%
More than 40,000	8.18%
No Response	0.85%