According to the University of Wisconsin's 11th annual survey of student computing use, student
technology trends are going online and going mobile. Internet use jumped 40% from
16 to 22 hours per week. Fewer students are using modems, down to 28% from 60%.
Access via cable modem and DSL has become more frequent. Ownership of laptops
is up to 38% from 25 % last year. PDA ownership grew from 10% to 18%, and cell
phone ownership rose from 22% to 64%. Nearly 80% of students have more than one
email address, and 62% of students report using instant messaging. The survey was
administered online by the UW-Madison Department of information technology. Of the
1,500 students who received an email invitation to fill out the survey, 658 completed
and returned it. The margin of error is approximately +/- 3.8%.