Every semester, I ask my students to complete an Orientation Survey. I’ve been refining it each term to gather data on their available technology, assess general tech usage, and collect music and movie recommendations for class discussions and listening activities.
I've been honing this survey for a few years and have decided to archive the results here.
This information helps me in many ways!
I ask how many students have never taken a college class. Many don’t know terms like syllabus, withdraw, or audit. Their answers remind me to explain college culture, which is especially important in general education classes.
I learn how many students don’t have a computer at home. If they do, I know what operating system, browser, and software they use. Or even if they know what those things are. Interestingly, the number of students who don't know what OS they have is increasing.
Mostly, I joke about making fun of them for having iPhones. I'm kidding, of course. I get a sense of the apps they use and how they use them.
Students submit songs to build a class playlist. It’s a fun icebreaker since almost everyone enjoys music. Their movie and show suggestions also spark discussion and give me insight into what media they digest.
I ask if they use AI, if they know what file extensions are, and other basics. These responses give me a snapshot of their digital literacy, which helps me plan accordingly. I often find that things I assume they know, they don’t.
News flash: Digital Natives aren't necessarily digital savvy. Most college-level instructors know this.