Nearly seven in 10 students surveyed rate the quality of online and digital learning as either ‘best imaginable’, ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ (68% of both further and higher education students), according to findings from a Jisc survey of 27,069 higher and further education students in the United Kingdom.

Areas Needing Attention:

Despite positive feedback on online learning quality, areas such as well-being, mental health, and staff digital skills require more attention.

Sarah Knight’s Perspective:

Sarah Knight, Jisc’s head of data and digital capability, emphasizes the importance of understanding where students are benefiting and where they could be better supported.

Survey Details:

Between October and December 2020, 21,697 higher education students and 5,372 further education students from 11 universities and four further education colleges participated in Jisc’s digital experience insights student survey.

Learning online (ironically) has made it easier to get support from staff. They’re more likely to encourage us to talk to them and it is a little easier than having to find them physically on campus.

The surveys aim to assist the sector in adapting to the changing situation due to COVID-19 policies.

Key Findings:

81% of those surveyed were studying online, with 72% from home.

Flexible learning was highly valued, with lecture recordings aiding note-taking and enabling scheduling learning around other commitments.

Students appreciated the convenience of studying at home and felt more in control.