Students are expecting more from their university as tuition fees rise. The best response for the university might be to expand their online and digital offerings.
Let's look at a recent study, one conducted during August 2012 and released today. From the National Students Union (NUS) and CourseSmart, the study examined 1,652 UK students on university expectations, digital use, and online course materials.
One result from the survey was that 81 per cent of students felt the university should be offering textbooks free as part of their fees.
99% of students reported to owning at least one online device; significantly, a third of them are already using a tablet eBook reader. These numbers are set to expand with 60% planning to buy an online device in the next six months.
These devices are put to work, with 77 per cent of students using online devices for academic purposes and 95% doing at least some course related reading on their device. As for why? 63 per cent say this helps them learn better.
For institutions, these numbers are significant, reminding them clearly just how 'plugged in' students now are.
In the increasingly competitive market for attracting and retaining students, , universities are beginning to differentiate themselves by offering more connected and tech-savvy educational tools.
One of these learning tools might be eTextbooks, which are online versions of print textbooks that can be used across any device and integrated with the university's existing Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Such tools would allow universities to combine the shifting demands of students with their current online habits, and begin to harness the potential of digital learning.
These habits appear to be online.
Perhaps this signals where education is going. As tuition fees shift, is now the time for universities to change how courses are taught to meet the needs of today's student?
For me, as I can see from this study, one thing is clear: students are going online. Now is the time for universities to be there too.