Academic Technology & Innovation
Systems & Services Report Spring 2024
Academic technology-related systems and services help to amplify innovative teaching, learning, and research practices at UMD. With 148 metrics from 34 data sources, the current report provides a high-level overview of the implementation and uses of our campus's most impactful technologies.
At DIT, we let students do the talking!
Our team member Blaize (‘25) took to the streets to listen to what students have to say about academic technology and services at UMD. How do students actually use these technologies for their studies? Play below to hear their insights and experiences!
Spring 2024 Fast Facts
Campus WiFi is getting an upgrade.
This semester, we installed over 2,000 new access points and 120 miles of fiber cabling in 46 buildings, and that’s just the start. By the end of our WiFi refresh, we’ll have more than doubled the number of wireless access points on campus.
The UMD app can help organize your life.
Students make up 97% of 2.5 million views on the UMD app in Spring 2024. You can use the app to check your class schedule, find your class, check package pick-ups, or look at dining hours. You can even see which dining halls are the least busy!
Students appreciate a well-organized ELMS-Canvas page.
When we talked to students about the most useful academic technology at UMD, ELMS-Canvas was by far the most common answer. It’s no surprise, considering that 84% of students log into ELMS-Canvas every day. Students appreciate when instructors keep their course space updated with the latest assignments, due dates, and grades!
Got a classroom technology issue? We're here to help!
AV systems are essential to teaching – about two in three class sessions use room PCs, connected laptops, or projectors. We know that technical issues cut into important class time, and that's why addressing classroom tech issues is a top priority. We are proud to report that we respond to urgent classroom technology issues in an average of 3 minutes and 45 seconds.
DIT provides fast and high-quality IT support.
DIT updated over 1,000 IT support articles in Spring 2024, and when the articles did not provide the information you were looking for, our knowledgeable staff in Terrapin Tech solved over 4,000 tech issues. If you want to connect to immediate IT support, call the DIT Service Desk, which will answer your call in under 30 seconds on average.
UMD's VPN can help you connect securely.
With over 3,500 VPN sessions on a typical day, UMD’s VPN provides a secure and encrypted connection when you are on or off campus. Remember to log in to VPN with your UMD credentials!
Have more insights? Contact us at acadtechfeedback@umd.edu.
The data for this report were collected, analyzed, and visualized by the Academic Technology Experience Reporting team:
Tiffany Pao, MEd | Research Analyst
Alia Lancaster, PhD | Reporting & Analytics Manager
Jonathan Engelberg, PhD | Research Analyst
Megan C. Masters, PhD | Academic Technology Experience Director