ERIC Number: EJ1442752
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2731-5525
Student Preferences over Module Design
Joshua Fullard
Discover Education, v3 Article 167 2024
In this paper we use new experimental data to investigate students' preferences regarding lecture mode and length, and assessment type across two unique dimensions: expected learning and enjoyment. Our main findings are as follows: first, students demonstrate a strong preference against online lectures. Students expect to learn more from, and enjoy, modules that have in-person lectures. Given that one-third of lectures in UK universities are now taught online--up from 4 percent before the pandemic--these results indicate a misalignment with students' preferences. Second, students favour shorter lectures (1 h) over longer lectures (2 h). Students do not expect to learn more from longer lectures--suggesting diminishing expected marginal returns. Third, students prefer individual assignments to exams. Students expect to enjoy and learn more from modules that have individual assignments (as opposed to exams). These findings are robust across two samples of university students.
Descriptors: Preferences, Learning Modules, Lecture Method, Evaluation Methods, In Person Learning, Higher Education, Foreign Countries, Alignment (Education), Time Factors (Learning), Assignments
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A