10 Remarkable Statistics About the College Class of 2015
The college class of 2015 just finished up their freshman year. It would be an understatement to say that their college experience will be different from their parents’ generation. These students were just 11 years old when Facebook launched, and they’ve grown up with social media, Internet-ready television, tablets and smartphones. The video below, produced by social media firm MRY, paints a powerful picture of the class of 2015. Here are a few of the most impressive statistics:
- 59% admit to updating a social media status in class.
- 29% are finding new love connections with Facebook.
- 33% have been dumped via text message.
- They watch television while using at least two other electronic devices.
- 55% are on Twitter.
- They are three times as likely as a family member to follow a brand.
- 66% will look up a store if they see a friend check in.
- 91% keep their check-ins publicly visible.
- 36% use FourSquare.
- 73% have earned and used virtual currency.
The video below describes these students as consumers, but for universities, they are still scholars. The question facing educators is how to turn this technology into a teaching aid rather than a distraction. Some schools, like Lakeland Community College, are taking advantage of it to communicate with students, while schools are implementing hardware, such as tablets, to replace expensive textbooks. Check out the video below, and let us know what you think these changes mean to students and educators.
