Shift Learning

Background

With the wealth of information and technology for students today, it remains to be seen where they see the most value. This study aims to fully understand patterns of student usage of electronic and online  resources and eBooks, and students’ relationship to use of paper-based learning resources. It also covers the use of social media in higher education. 

This comprehensive report looks at students’ perceptions of the learning resources on offer, current and anticipated usage, current and anticipated preferences and at the sort of learning-related products students would like to purchase online both now and in the future.

Project Scope and Key Questions

Hardware

• What types of hardware including computers, handheld devices, eBook readers and gaming consoles do students currently own or intend to purchase over the next 12 months?
• What, if any, new textbook publishing platforms would be of interest? e.g. for mobile phones, Nintendo DS etc.

Paper textbooks vs. electronic resources 

• What are the key differences in usage and usefulness between a paper textbook and an electronic resource?

Use of eBooks and students’ frequency of downloads (both free and paid for).

• What attributes would it be desirable for an electronic textbook to have? 
• What other types of digital resources do students use to support learning (e.g. databases, simulations, digital archives, auto-marked assignments)? Which do they find most effective? 

Use of learning-related websites

• Which subject-related websites do students access most often? What are they looking for and how do they decide which sites to trust?
• How frequently do students access publishers’ websites and for what reasons?

VLE usage

• How often do students access course module resources on their institution’s VLE and what are the main types of resources they are using it for?
• Do students use the VLE to access digital resources and eBooks? If so, is this from within course-specific reading lists or more generally via links to the library online catalogue, for example?

Social media engagement

• In what way do students use and contribute to social media in higher education, including blogs and non-institutionally provided forums and discussion groups?
• Are any of these related to their courses and/or assignments and group projects?

Price and business models

• How much do students spend on resources related to their course? What prompts them to buy these resources?
• What do students consider a reasonable price for resources in different formats? (eTextbook, single journal article etc.) And how do they feel about possible new business models e.g. rental, annual subscription, pay per view or per day access?

Methodology

4 focus groups were held (2 in London, 2 in Birmingham) with students from a range of disciplines and institutions. 

A substantial online survey was designed after the focus groups and sent to more than 30,000 student email addresses with 567 completed responses. 

Results of this research are compared, where possible and relevant, to similar studies run previously by Shift Learning to provide an indication of changes over time.

Costs

Report (digital copy) - £2500 + VAT

Additional paper copies available at £10 per copy.

Timing

The research was conducted in early spring 2011 and report was released in early May 2011.

Contact

To order a copy of this report, or to find out more about this project please contact Jenny Kedros.  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Tel: +44 (0)207 253 8959

About Shift Learning Syndicated Business Intelligence

Shift Learning Syndicated Business Intelligence is designed to inform investment decisions for the education and learning sector. We investigate key decision areas and share results among the members who subscribe. This service is a cost-effective way for you to keep up-to-date with market developments. 

Recent reports include:

• Use and perceptions of VLEs in secondary education
• The Abolition of KS3 SATS
• English GSCE 2010 
• FE Market 2011: developments, opportunities and market data
• The impact of the introduction of the English Baccalaureate

About Shift Learning

Shift Learning offers consultancy and agency services in the education and learning sectors. Our clients include OUP, CUP, Pearson, Nelson Thornes, Collins Education and many other major publishers. Our core services are research, usability testing, e-consultancy, web building and training. For more information on working with Shift Learning including recent case studies and white papers, please visit our website http://www.shift-learning.co.uk