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ON CAMPUS
‘ Supply and demand ’
Student satisfaction shows why hybrid learning is here to stay .
By Greg Whateley
With the challenges of COVID-19 mostly behind us – do not become complacent , cases are still very high and married with the flu season , caution is paramount ( not to mention vaccination ) – a consideration of three basic modes of delivery is timely .
Each serves a purpose but one is the most logical and flexible moving forward – and that is the hybrid mode . It is well suited to the present climate and provides the all-important option for students .
Without choice we all moved to the online environment .
For many this was both traumatic and highly challenging . For others , who had actually dabbled in the space , the transition was not so painful . Well thought through strategies with appropriately supported technology actually provided unexpected dividends .
Online delivery was mandatory throughout the peak of COVID-19 and remains a practical solution at present .
The most effective and appreciated version was based on the notion of regular live presentations rather than pre-recorded or re-used resources . The pre-recorded being the least offensive . The weekly live presentations each trimester meant the presentations were relevant and current and allowed for high levels of interactivity .
My own institution has fared very well in this mode with high levels of student satisfaction ( 4.3 / 5 ), graduate satisfaction ( 95 %) and of course satisfying QILT outcomes – all throughout the COVID-19 period , worth adding .
The most recent student survey ( T1 , 2023 ) on wanting to return to campus F2F delivery met with a resounding number , with 95 % of students wishing to remain online ( 98.5 % in the case of postgraduate students ).
Blended delivery is a mixed mode approach marrying online delivery with F2F – ideal for domestic students who are working full time and are essentially – ‘ time poor ’.
The online elements are used to introduce the key issues and make sure students are working through the appropriate pre-readings .
The F2F component is designed to reinforce the key concepts and provide students with the all - important interaction and interface .
My own institution operates this mode for this very reason ( 3 evening sessions online and 2 days intensive ) and the satisfaction levels are ‘ through the roof ’ at 4.8 / 5 .
Partly due to venue choice and part master teacher choice – it is nevertheless an effective mode for this cohort .
Hybrid delivery is a mode of options – that is F2F or online – they run simultaneously so students can opt in an out .
Classes continue to be delivered online and students have the option of sitting in on classes F2F – not unlike a live television show with a studio audience being transmitted to a larger group of online viewers .
It is very much about putting the choice with students – which is a sensible notion if you want to actually achieve high levels of satisfaction and approval .
Hybrid is not about retail and real estate it is about students – giving them the opportunity to work in the mode that best suits them and their needs . Essentially a shift from demand to supply . My own institution is planning on the hybrid option for T3 , 2023 – assuming there is no foolish government intervention .
It is the most sensible of options . It does require investment in high quality delivery resources – but it does allow for enormous flexibility . It is the way of the future – and we would be wise to move in that direction .
Clearly , based on the empirical evidence of recent surveys , my own students will be keen on the option .
What is fundamental to the future – moving forward in other words – is a clear understanding of what students want and need ( not staff ) and how this can be best supported .
It is evident that a small proportion of undergraduate students crave the interface of F2F – this is not obvious with postgraduate students .
The advantage of the hybrid approach is that it can actually satisfy most student requests . Those who prefer to remain online and those who crave interface can both be satisfied and supported simultaneously . ■
Emeritus Professor Greg Whateley is the Deputy Vice Chancellor at UBSS and Vice President ( Academic ) at Group Colleges Australia .
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