A study of student survey data from the University of Northampton found that reliable wifi is associated with positive student perceptions in several areas. When students reported that the wifi was reliable, they were significantly more likely to agree that the university supports using their own devices, helps them access health services, stay safe online, and protect their data privacy. Reliable wifi was also associated with students rating the quality of digital teaching and provision more highly. The findings suggest that unreliable wifi could negatively impact how students answer various survey questions, not just those directly related to technology.

1. Good wifi = happy(ier) students?
Rob Howe – Head of LearningTechnology. University of Northampton. @rjhowe
17-10-19

2. 0 20
Why?
»Is a good wifi network essential to student satisfaction?
»Little research on the actual direct impact of wifi to
student experience.
»Jisc digital experience insights data at Northampton has
provided a unique opportunity to understand how wifi
perceptions impact on learning, teaching and resource
perspectives.
24/10/2019 Northampton - Insights impact on strategy @rjhowe 2

3. 0 20
Wifi Perceptions
24/10/2019 Northampton –Wifi impact on perceptions @rjhowe 3
Pirillo,F. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/71213237830943349/
Adams, A
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9b/c6/22/9bc622a
5491aea7581cc45cc9460c582.jpg

4. 0 20
What data?
24/10/2019 Northampton - Insights impact on strategy @rjhowe 4
4 years of data - combined to give one data set.
But not all surveys were consistent and therefore most of the analysis is only carried out on years 2018 and 2019

5. 0 20
The University supports me to use my own digital device
24/10/2019 Northampton - Insights impact on strategy @rjhowe 5
For both years, there was a significant association (p<0.001) between if the student thought theWIFI was reliable and if
the University supports them to use their own digital devices.

6. 0 20
I can access University health and wellbeing services
24/10/2019 Northampton - Insights impact on strategy @rjhowe 6
For both years, there was a significant association (p<0.05) between if the student thought theWIFI was reliable and if
the student can access University health and wellbeing services

7. 0 20
The University helps me stay safe online
24/10/2019 Northampton - Insights impact on strategy @rjhowe 7
For both years, there was a significant association (p<0.01) between if the student thought theWIFI was reliable and if
the student feels University helps them stay safe online.

8. 0 20
The University protects my data privacy
24/10/2019 Northampton - Insights impact on strategy @rjhowe 8
For both years, there was a significant association (p<0.01) between if the student thought theWIFI was reliable and if
the student feels University protects their data privacy.

9. 0 20
Impact on perceptions of the quality of the digital teaching
24/10/2019 Northampton - Insights impact on strategy @rjhowe 9
The more students believe theWIFI is more reliable then they are significantly more likely to rate both the quality of
the Universities digital provision and the quality of the digital teaching

10. 0 20
Why is this important?
Muck up the wifi and there’s a chance that many of the
questions in student surveys (related or not) may also be
negatively impacted!!!
24/10/2019 Northampton - Insights impact on strategy @rjhowe 10
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

11. 0 20
Questions?
Contact details:
Rob Howe
Rob.Howe@northampton.ac.uk
01604 892483
»@rjhowe
24/10/2019 Northampton - Insights impact on strategy @rjhowe 11