True Learning

 Having anlaysed and synthesised the data from all data sources, I am now writing up the research report to describe what the research tells us about the online learning preferences of some of UHI’s online learners.

Overall, what the results demonstrate to me is that the UHI online learners who responded to the survey have a wide range of different preferences for aspects of online learning, such as how they communicate online in groups and with a tutor 1-to-1, and how they like to learn and receive information in an online environment.

The research demonstrates that of the 205 people who completed the survey, many tend to favour what can be considered to be traditional learning methods. Although, the research also indicates that the younger learners (under 18’s) tend to prefer less traditional delivery methods in some areas.

The main learning preferences seem to be for those methods that support more of a verbal kind of learning through the written and spoken word rather than more visual learning and hands-on learning.

Main Survey Findings

The most popular group communicating tools are:

1. Discussion Board (79.1%),
2. Email (64.7%) 
3. Internet Classroom (48.8%).

The most popular ways of receiving information is by:

1. Word Documents (68.7%)
2. Webpages (60.1%)
3. Powerpoints with text or pictures (48.5%)

The most popular ways for taking in information when learning their subject are:

1. Reading text-based materials (71.7%)
2. Do a task (hands on activity (65.7%)

The two most popular ways of learning new information are:

1. Acquiring information by reading, listening to a lecture, watching a video (70.7%)
2. Sharing and discussing ideas and perspectives with others (67.2%)

The most popular ways for communicating 1-to1 with a tutor are:

1. In-person (69.2%)
2. Email (68.7%)
3. Telephone (53.3%)

The frequency they would like to communicate with a tutor directly and privately are:

1. Once a month (28.9%)
2. Once a week (25.4%)
3. Once every two weeks (24.4%)

Out of a sample of 15 UHI online learners asked ‘how quickly they would like a response from their tutor to an important email query or discussion board post’, the two most popular choices are:

1. Within 24 hours………..… 46.7%
2. Immediate response……… 26.7%

The two main reasons for studying the subject are:

1. Personal development (56.6%)
2. Get a qualification to get a job (51.2%)

The results reveal that learning alone is more preferable than working in a group:

• 79.6% tend to like to study alone
• 20.4% tend to like to study in a group

When working with online learning materials:

• 65.8% like to start at the beginning and work methodically through to the end
• 34.2% like to dip in and out, start at different points and access only relevant sections

The results reveal that they prefer more concrete than abstract courses:

• 64.8% favour course with facts, data and real life situations.
• 35.2%% favour courses with ideas, concepts and theories

They feel online learning is most useful for:

• 85.1% learning (information, opinions)
• 14.9% social communication (peer support)

They prefer to print rather than read on screen because:

• 81.1% state that they either ‘Always’ or ‘Often’ print text-based materials rather than reading the text on screen.

From those who provided a comment to ‘what would make learning more enjoyable’:

• 35.5% mention they would like more interaction
• 32.7% mention they would like more tutor support
• 10% mention the desire for meeting up face-to-face with other learners and the tutors during the course.
• 9% mention they would like more structure and better organised group sessions.

From those who provided a final comment:

• 23.4% specifically mention that they value the flexibility of online learning due to family, work, location, or life commitments
• 10% mention that they do not like online learning.
• 9% mention that online learning can be lonely and isolating.

Survey Implications

From these results, it seems to me that more of a variety of delivery tools and presentation methods could be used when designing and facilitating online UHI courses. In particular, more use could be made of email for group work activities and for presenting information to learners, and PowerPoint’s also could be used more for presenting information online.

I think the research results suggest a basic structure and format for online learning that involves making use of those presentation and communication methods and practices that most learners are already familiar with and which are easy to access. Such as:

• Presenting information to read and activities to complete through word documents, web-pages, PowerPoint slides and email;
• Delivering group work activities via a discussion board, and email;
• Providing activities that sometimes involve working alone and sometimes working with others, with regular, quality feedback from tutors.

(I think that online learners getting enough prompt and accurate feedback is probably the single most important variable for improving learning online.)