A 1986 Computer Survey of Students

Friday, June 28, 2024
by Amy VanderLaan

While going through a box of old newsletters from various departments at the University of Waterloo, I came across an Engineering Education Research Centre (EERC) News issue from November 18, 1986, titled "The Good, The Baud and The Parity."

This issue was donated by Sherry Hartung and can be viewed in our online catalogue.

The newsletter included the results of a survey taken by engineering undergraduates on their use of personal computers. I thought the results were quite interesting, particularly for the last question! 

Clipping of a news article with results from a survey on personal computer usage

EERC News, Issue No. 3. 1986

Clipping of a news article with results from a survey on personal computer usage

EERC News, Issue No. 3. 1986

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A Computer Survey of Students

During the Spring term of 1986, two Systems Design students, Susan McIntyre and Barbara Adey, conducted a computer survey of undergraduate Engineering students. The subjects were 1B students from all five departments. This survey was intended top find out what sort of computing equipment was owned by students as well as student opinions on computing in Engineering education. Here are some of the results obtained from the survey:

1. How many students own personal computers?
Department %
Electrical 25.4
Civil 16.2
Chemical 20.0
Systems 16.9
Mechanical 17.8
Over all 19.7
2. Of those who don't own computers, are they planning to buy one before graduation?
Department Yes No Don't Know
Electrical 52.9% 47.1 ---
Civil 42.9 57.1 ---
Chemical 20.8 75.0 4.2
Systems 35.1 64.9 ---
Mechanical 30.6 66.7 2.8
3. Of those who own computers, what do they own?
Computer %
Commodore 64 23.7
Apple II 15.8
PC Compatible 15.8
TRS-80 15.8
Apple II Compatible 7.9
IBM PC 5.3
Apple Macintosh 5.3
Commodore Amiga 2.6
Others 7.9
4. Of those who plan to purchase a computer, what will they buy?
Computer %
IBM PC 53.0
PC Compatible 26.5
Apple II 7.2
Apple Macintosh 3.6
Commodore Amiga 2.4
Commodore 64 1.2
Others 6.0

5. Of those who own computers, how important do they think computers are to an engineering education?

Ranked from 1 to 4, with 1 being essential and 4 being not important at all
1 10.4%
2 33.3
3 25.0
4 31.3

And for fun, a comic made by Tom Lee that was published in the same newsletter: 

Comic titled "Moral Dilemma of the 80's."

EERC News, Issue No. 3. 1986

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About the Author

Amy studies Computational Mathematics at the University of Waterloo and is currently working for the Computer Museum as their Summer 2024 co-op student. In her free time, she enjoys painting, collaging, and other forms of visual art making.