In an increasingly competitive sector, researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) have found a significant advantage for universities involved in distance education.

 

The research led by Professor Andrew Smith through the University’s Centre for Enhancing Learning and Teaching (CELT), involved a survey of all Australian universities and six case studies between 2002 and 2004.

 

“While all universities are now involved in some form of flexible learning such as supplementing lectures and tutorials with online resources, our study found the traditional face-to-face lectures and tutorials remained the most common form of delivery and the use of new technologies is still fairly limited,” said Professor Smith.

 

“However, the distance education universities, many of whom have been teaching Australian and international students via printed material and other media for over 30 years, have a significant competitive edge,” he added.

 

“They have built up significant infrastructure in distance education systems, including the use of online technologies.  But more importantly, the distance education universities have developed a wealth of experience in flexible delivery and meeting the needs of students who are physically remote from university campuses.”

 

“Both academic and administrative staff are used to dealing with students who do not attend the campus as a matter of course and that gives distance education universities a significant competitive edge in the new era of flexible delivery of university education.”

 

The Centre for Enhancing Learning and Teaching at CSU works with academic staff to develop and evaluate flexible learning resources for the University’s almost 27 500 students studying by distance education.

 

Studying her Master of Business Administration by distance education, Roseanne Riegler found her four years at CSU “a positive, inspirational and life-changing experience”.

 

“Distance education worked for me in that it was flexible and enabled me to maintain my work and personal life. Not able to commit to lectures and with my work hours somewhat erratic, the option of distance education enabled me to plan out my study that suited my personal timetable,” said the Director of Exact Recruitment Services Pty Ltd in Sydney.

 

“From an internal support point of view, the internet forums are invaluable and online library facility brilliant,” added Ms Riegler.

 

“Charles Sturt University is the leading provider of distance learning in Australia. We are looking ahead with our five year University Strategy to building on to our strength in distance learning to benefit our internal as well as our off-campus students,” said Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers.  

 

The research entitled Multiple Modes of Delivery was funded by the Australian Universities Teaching Committee, the forerunner of the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.