E-Learning: The Student Perspective

1. Martin Cullen President Chloe Foster Vice – President Education E-Learning:The Student Perspective University of Leicester Students’ Union

2. Presentation Contents • Students’ current views on e-learning • What students would like to see from e-learning in the future • Summary of findings and way forward

3. To E or not to E? • Many students don’t really know what e-learning is • Those who did gave mixed responses to the concept of e-learning • Interviews…

4. General Remarks • Responses from Postgraduate and Undergraduate students were similar • Electronic resources need to be available to support e-learning • Past experience of e-learning key to current opinion

5. Positive comments about e-learning • It is quick and easy • No timescale to complete work – allows student to work at own pace and under less pressure • Lecture notes available electronically very popular

6. Positive comments about e-learning • Blackboard very popular – especially where departments use it as primary method of electronic communication • MCQ’s and special topic areas accessible through Blackboard also popular • Many students keen on paperless classroom

7. Positive comments about e-learning • Students very positive about the ease of access to learning materials when off campus :- • International students • Mature students • Distance learning students

8. Negative comments about e-learning • Some students perceive e-learning as a cost cutting measure • Some students see e-learning as a substitute for traditional methods of teaching

9. Negative comments about e-learning • Approach to e-learning not consistent across all departments • Some students feel uncomfortable submitting work electronically

10. Negative comments about e-learning • Not always able to access resources to take advantage of e-learning • Some students see current facilities as being out of date • Financial burden on students to keep personal equipment up-to-date

11. Just for laughs? • A key benefit of technologies such as podcasting…

12. The Future… • Most students very positive about the future of e-learning. • Interviews…

13. The Future… • E-learning needs to be able to cater for all levels of technological literacy • Electronic textbooks would be very popular – would solve widespread problem in Universities

14. The Future… • Audio Books and podcasts should be more widely used – especially as supplements such as revision aids • Lecturers need to embrace e-learning

15. The Future… • Mobile computer suites could be introduces so that e-learning could be embraced in seminars, lab work, group work etc. • Video lectures should be made available for catch-up and revision purposes

16. The way forward… • Key Message…

17. The way forward… • E-learning should be used as a supplement to traditional learning methods, and should not reduce teaching time • Students are generally positive about e-learning and would like to see it developed and expanded

18. Any Questions?