Many instructors have begun adapting courses taken by first-year students into learning environments that teach information technology skills. Faculty members also are relying on programs like the Student Computing Initiative (Penn State’s recent recommendation that every full-time student have a personal computer) to get the word out to freshmen and potential students that computers are an essential part of college life.

“Faculty members are hungry for knowledge they can use to help their students use technology,” said John Harwood, senior director of Education Technology Services. “There is a growing understanding that the immense spectrum of research and instructional opportunities available today can only be accessible to students if they know how to use computers.”

Higher education trends echo the rising demand for technology-savvy students. At Penn State last year, more than 12,000 students, faculty and staff enrolled in computer training classes; nearly 99 percent of all students have activated their Penn State Internet access accounts; and 96 percent of students either own a personal computer or have access to one where they live or work.

The University is in the process of sending out to newly admitted students information packets that provide advice on how to purchase a computer, receive financial aid, identify college system requirements and obtain repair services.

On a national scale, information technology spending by colleges and universities is expected to increase from $3.1 billion in 1998 to nearly $5 billion by 2003, in an effort to attract students and stay current in computer technology, according to a recent report by International Data Corp.

Upper-level students agree that incoming students are more likely to do well in college if they’re technologically prepared. In a survey recently conducted by the Center for Academic Computing, more than 75 percent of all students questioned rated the significance of computers to academic work and post-graduate careers as either “very important” or “extremely important.” In addition, Penn State recently doubled its server capacity in response to student demand for Web-based services such as online academic counseling, course information and scheduling; and periodically must increase the databases and resources of the LIAS online library materials service, due to the high volume of patron requests.

For more information, visit the Student Computing Initiative Web site at http://www.psu.edu/studentcomputing.

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Contact: Tysen Kendig, Department of Public Information, at (814) 865-7517 or e-mail tysen@psu.edu; or Heather Herzog, Computer and Information Systems, at (814) 863-7766 or e-mail heh4@psu.edu.