Top Instructional Technology Challenges, Needs, Barriers at UW-Madison

July 21, 2009 by Lisa Jansen

According to the 2008 Academic Technology Survey Report, the top teaching challenge for faculty, instructional staff and TAs in the College of Letters & Science is making lecture more interactive and engaging. The top teaching need for UW-Madison faculty, instructional staff and TAs is technology equipped classrooms.

DoIT Academic Technology surveyed a random sample of UW-Madison faculty, instructional staff, and teaching assistants about top teaching challenges, barriers to using instructional technology, current practices, and other topics. 40 percent of survey respondents were from the College of Letters & Science.

Some highlights are listed below. More highlights and the entire report may be viewed on the Academic Technology Website. (See link to ATS Survey&Report 2008.pdf for full report.)

LSS has resources available to address many of the challenges, needs and barriers identified in the survey report. In addition, LSS staff are actively engaged in addressing these issues at the campus level. Please contact us for more information and assistance.

Most Used Technologies for Teaching (UW-Madison, 2007-2008 academic year)

1. Presentation technology (85.2% of respondents)
2. Course management systems (e.g., Learn@UW) (68.6%)
3. Library e-reserves (48.2%)
4. My Webspace (38.5%)
5. Video sharing applications (33.6%)

Top Teaching Challenges (College of Letters & Science)

1. Making lecture more interactive and engaging
2. Demonstrating complex concepts
3. Providing students practice or reinforcement
4. Giving prompt feedback
5. Facilitating student collaboration outside of class

Top Current Teaching Needs (UW-Madison)

1. Technology equipped classrooms
2. Creating effective presentations; using presentation technology
3. Putting course and/or lecture content online
4. Supplementing a course with online resources
5. Understanding best practices of teaching with technology

Top Barriers to Using Instructional Technology (UW-Madison)

1. Lack of time
2. Lack of money
3. Extra work with little payoff in the course
4. Lack of technical support
5. Lack of classroom equipment

The 2008 Academic Technology Survey was designed, administered, and analyzed by Lindsey Schmidt, Evaluation and Assessment Specialist, DoIT Academic Technology. Respondents answered questions in October 2008.