Apple already has a big presence in education. But the potential is there for it to expand that presence.

Today's tech savvy college students seek more support when it comes to using digital tools in the classroom, according to a recent survey conducted by Cengage Learning (http://www.cengage.com), a global provider of teaching, learning and research solutions, in conjunction with Eduventures.

The survey, which was administered to both students and instructors, also reveals there is a direct correlation between classroom technology use, student engagement and overall learning outcomes. The Cengage Learning/Eduventures survey, entitled "Instructors and Students: Technology Use, Engagement and Learning Outcomes," found that 65% of instructors think students are tech savvy when it comes to using digital tools in the classroom.

Conversely, only 42% of students believe there's enough support for educational technology, evidence of a perception gap in how adept students are versus how savvy they are presumed to be. According to the survey, students prefer courses that use a great deal of technology, provided there is adequate support in using the tools. Where adequate support and training is provided, 70% of students prefer to take a course with a great deal of technology .

The survey also shows a meaningful relationship between the use of digital tools in the classroom, student engagement and overall learning outcomes. For example: three fourths of instructors think that student engagement has improved as the use of digital tools increased. Of the instructors who believe engagement levels have improved, 87% believe that learning outcomes have improved as well.

Fifty-eight percent of students believe that technology helps to engage them with coursework and learn. Among the tools that students prefer are web sites, communication tools, office suite, digital homework tools and static digital content.

"While today's college students are immersed and fluent in social media, consumer electronics and video games, they're not nearly as proficient when it comes to using digital tools in a classroom setting; this turns the myth that we're dealing with a whole generation of digital natives on its head," says William Rieders, Executive Vice President, Global New Media for Cengage Learning. "Clearly, students are asking for better guidance, support and training in using digital tools in the classroom and we, as an industry, need to pay attention and effectively respond to those needs in order to improve engagement and learning outcomes."