From the survey and interview data provided by UHI online learners, I reckon online courses at UHI favours those learners who tend to like to:
- Start at the beginning and Work Methodically Through to the end of online materials
- Learn by Reading text-based materials (word documents, webpages)
- Use the Discussion Board for communicating in group work activities
- Use the Telephone for communicating 1-to-1 with their tutor
- Feel that online learning is most useful for Learning (information, opinions) rather than Social Communication (peer support)
As a result, I think that these learners will tend to be more successful at online learning and will find the whole experience more enjoyable.
UHI online courses tend to be text-based and presented linearly without continual tutor guidance so they tend to favour verbal, sequential learners who are persistent, able to self-evaluate and require little tutor feedback.
I also think that these learners tend to be more internally-motivated than externally-motivated, although they do like external feedback to confirm that they are on the right track.
Of the 205 who completed the survey, I reckon just over 15% fit the above criteria.
Of this 15%, over 90% prefer to Work Alone rather than in a study group, over 80% like to Acquire Information and Discuss Ideas and Perspectives With Others, and over 80% state their main reason for studying their subject is for Personal Development.
