THE pandemic has influenced the type of higher education students are now seeking, with social distancing influencing the method of delivery.
Previously, students opted for traditional modes of learning, either contact or distance, depending on their circumstances and social perceptions.
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However, with lockdown, institutions have discovered that face-to-face contact learning is actually enhanced by online delivery methods.
Director of The Independent Institute of Education (IIE), Dr Felicity Coughlan, said one of the major considerations will be the ability to provide the highest quality academic excellence, regardless of delivery type.
‘Traditionally there are two modes of delivery that students select,’ explained Coughlan.
‘This is either contact studies, where the bulk of teaching and learning is on a campus, with face-to-face interaction between lecturers and peers.
The other is distance studies, where the bulk of teaching and learning requires little to no campus sessions, but is technologically-mediated.
‘Distance studies also include ‘pack and post’, where materials are mailed to students, or can be downloaded from a student portal.’
With Covid-19, these two modes have evolved into hybrid learning, where classroom and online sessions are happening simultaneously.
This gives online students person-to-person engagement with those who have opted to be in the physical class.
‘It is not easy, as the lecturer needs to be able to engage two very different audiences at the same time,’ she continued.
‘To accommodate this, professional development of staff, and the employment of effective broadcast technology, using Bluetooth and WiFi, are now standard.’
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