Flexible study - what students do and what they want

Abstract

There is considerable rhetoric about today s students wanting more flexible study options so that their studies can fit in with other aspects of their lives. Furthermore, staff and students increasingly use--managed learning environments (MLEs) to support learning. But how great is the appetite for more flexible study options that the MLE could undoubtedly support This work is based on an online survey,--conducted in February 2007 at the University of Hertfordshire. The questionnaire explored the following: students existing study patterns--and how these sit alongside their other commitments (family, work, leisure, etc); students attitudes to flexible study options and their perceptions of current support for independent study; their appetite for--further development in this area; and their technological skills and propensity for greater use of online support for learning.