digital learning

Can digital learning solve higher education’s problems?


A new survey reveals whether the digital shift has potential to be a silver bullet

A shift to digital learning is important when it comes to solving long-standing problems in the higher education system, according to surveyed higher education faculty.

Pearson‘s “Digital appetite vs. what’s on the table: Student attitudes toward digital course materials in 2016” surveyed learners, educators and administrators to gauge their opinions about digital course materials and digital learning strategies.

The survey revealed that educators see benefits for their students who have shifted to digital course materials.

Seventy-eight percent of surveyed educators reported that their students benefit from a growing role of digital in the classroom. They don’t only see benefits for students, however. Seventy percent of educators reported that the transition from print to digital is important or very important to them, personally.

Eighty-seven percent of educators and 86 percent of administrators believe digital learning is important in resolving challenges facing the education system, and nearly half say it is “very important.”

(Next page: What faculty and students are looking for from higher education’s digital learning solutions)

Faculty and students said they also are looking for greater support from higher education institutions to harness the power of digital learning tools. Fifty-seven percent of students feel that it is the responsibility of the institution to help them make the shift from print-based learning materials to digital course materials and courseware.

“There is growing recognition of the broad range benefits–for students, faculty, and institutions–provided by digital learning,” said Tom Malek, senior vice president of partnerships, Pearson. “Institutional leaders have an opportunity to further explore how digital can provide a rich, more personalized learning experience for students, while lowering the cost of course materials and providing new insights and data for faculty.”

Fifty six percent of surveyed educators say more than half of their courses use digital course material. Furthermore, 82 percent of surveyed learners and educators have used digital learning products in the past six months, while 82 percent of learners and educators think digital learning is the future of education.

While a majority of learners prefer studying on paper, most want learning materials to be accessible online. Fifty seven percent prefer learning on paper, while 56 percent would prefer to have learning materials accessible online.

Cost is a concern to all audiences, but each group perceives specific barriers to making the digital shift. For learners, in the hierarchy of things that students consider important to their education, they haven’t historically seen using digital course materials and courseware as a personal priority. Also, in many cases, digital course materials are not required by their instructors. Educators are concerned that technology is replacing the role of the educator, while administrators are concerned about limited time to learn how to use new technology.

This survey was conducted in August 2016 within the United States by Penn Schoen Berland, a market research, political polling and strategic consulting firm, on behalf of Pearson. Qualified respondents – based on 1,250 interviews (1,000 with learners, 200 with educators, and 50 with administrators) – represented U.S. colleges and universities at the 2-year college, 4-year college or university, and graduate levels.

Material from a press release was used in this report.

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Laura Ascione

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