Online study support provider (and CMM advertiser) Studiosity surveyed students about where people would study in 20 years and found one in five thought it would not be on campus. Perhaps reflecting their own time-tight circumstances, part-time students and those 26 plus were strongest on the idea that in-person study would fade. Unsurprisingly, international students thought campuses would continue.
Overall however students did not see online study replacing in-person education. Just 10 per cent of 18-25 year olds wanted more digital technology in lectures and tutorials. But responders also though universities should make it easier to study on-line, so students who struggle to get to campus do not feel they are “missing out.”
John Rosenberg, Studiosity academic advisory board member and former La Trobe DVC suggests digital natives expect to have the same access to support and services, wherever they are. “Face-to-face learning will remain important as part of a student’s degree, but they also expect access to services online at the time of their choice and in turn need more online support services that are accessible out-of-hour.”
This is very good news for advocates of on-line lectures and small-group classes on campus, as long as universities also provide the same intensive human-contact out of hours through support services. That’s the thing about digital natives, they want what they want when they want it.