The Q-List:  A Faculty Fellows Research Agenda for the Profession 

Emerging Technologies

The use of new information and communication technologies provides increased flexibility, easy communication, and immediate resources and support to students. For example, social networking websites offer a broader communication network for students and have replaced much of their face-to-face communications. Today, college students prefer immediate communication styles; yet, most have little understanding of security issues and impacts on their interpersonal relationships. Meanwhile, data warehousing, data mining, and BI (business intelligence) analytics are emerging technological tools for higher education to learn more about the institution, students, and how well operations are working. Yet, we know very little about the impact of technologies on students and higher education institutions.

1. How does the use of technologies affect student affairs practice?
2. What are the challenges and benefits for student affairs to adopt new technologies?
3. What is the effect of technologies on student development?
4. What is the effect of technologies on student relationships?
5. What are the relationships between technologies and student learning?