Title:	DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL DELIVERY MODES: MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS
Author(s):	Christine Bruff , Bruce Cheek , Alison Dean , John Nolan
ISBN:	972-8924-16-X
Editors:	Pedro Isaías, Maggie McPherson and Frank Bannister
Year:	2006
Edition:	1
Keywords:	Electronic delivery, face-to-face delivery, e-learning, student needs
Type:	Full Paper
First Page:	177
Last Page:	184
Language:	English
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Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	As universities increasingly rely on electronic delivery of education to aid their quest for greater operational efficiency, and to provide more flexibility for students to access their services, the question arises as to whether bricks and mortar universities could ultimately be replaced almost entirely by e-learning. The answer to this question depends on how well e-learning can meet student needs, which in turn depends on just what are those student needs. In this study, our students were asked for their views (via online discussion forums) on whether on-campus programs have a future, and for their reasons for their position. Content analysis was performed on 118 scripts with the aim of obtaining an overview of what outcomes students expect to get from a university education, the relative importance of these outcomes, and the students’ perceptions of how well e-learning delivers them. Eight themes were identified that students felt were important in assessing the relative merits of electronic as opposed to face-to-face delivery. Even students who were currently studying online felt strongly that face-to-face programs will always be necessary, particularly for undergraduate programs; key reasons included their need for interaction to enhance the effectiveness of different teaching methods in some courses, the extra dimension added by face to face interactions with fellow students, provision of specialized facilities and equipment, and the external discipline and motivation that can be associated with attending classes.
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