Tag: technology

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Alternative study modes in higher education: students’ expectations and preferences

Author: Robyn Benson, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University

Edition: Volume 46, Number 3, November 2006

Summary: Two features of the recent higher education environment, which have implications for university policies and practices, are the changing nature of the student population and the impact of alternative study modes, particularly as a result of developments in new learning technologies. Both of these features have implications for the characteristics of students as adult learners.This paper outlines an exploratory survey which was undertaken to investigate students’ preferred modes of study, including full and part-time, conventional and online, university-based and workplace-based, in order to inform university planning in this area. The study indicated that, although there was some willingness by students to engage with non-traditional options, particularly as experience of these options or of university life increased, the strongest preferences were for traditional study arrangements.  Many students were more interested in increasing the flexibility of their study through extended access to the campus and improved timetabling than through studying off-campus and/or online.

Keywords: study mode, technology

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Millar’s story: The dynamic experience of an older adult computer learner

Authors: Helen Russell, Institute of Technology, Sydney

Edition: Volume 45, Number 1, April 2005

Summary:  The participation of older adults in computer learning environments is a recent phenomenon. Older adults of the twenty-first century have not grown up with information and communication technologies and are not likely to have used computers in their working lives. They may even feel alien in the world of technology. The purpose of this paper is to present a narrative description, and tentative analysis, of one person’s learning journey in this world. The interpretative analysis is guided by the principles of qualitative research, using case studies, and focusing on the individual experience of the learner. This article represents current findings in the early stage of a PhD thesis.

Keywords: older adult, technology, learner,

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Creating older adults technology training policies: lessons from community practices

Author/s: Michael Nycyk and Margaret Redsell

Edition: Volume 47, Number 2, July 2007

Summary: Influencing government policy in adult learning areas requires consistent efforts in having findings noticed by educational policymakers. Submissions by Adult Learning Australia and researchers have called for unified educational policies and practices across Australia. This paper argues that, whilst it is important to address macro issues of policy formation, research into micro issues can also be valuable in assisting policy formation. Using information technology and communication teaching in a community centre, it considers analysis of informal daily policies and practices and what is working at the everyday level is important. Student experience examples at one centre teaching these skills to older adult are reported to show the types of policies and practices which maximised the long-term running of the centre and long periods of student retention. Like researchers addressing macro adult learning issues, it requires consistent reporting of results to educational policy-makers to remind them of what practices and policies do work for older adults.

Keywords: education, policy, practices, policy formation, student experience, student retention, technology, older adults

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