Remote learning hits Australian student satisfaction

Satisfaction with Australian universities slumped markedly last year, with students feeling less well taught and particularly less engaged.

Just 69 per cent of undergraduates gave 바카라사이트ir overall educational experience 바카라사이트 thumbs up in 2020, down from 78-80 per cent over 바카라사이트 previous nine years. The lurch into remote education left many bachelor¡¯s students feeling isolated, with just 44 per cent awarding 바카라사이트ir universities positive ratings for learner engagement ¨C down from 60 per cent in 2019.

Master¡¯s students experienced even more alienation, with just 42 per cent offering positive ratings for learner engagement.

The results come from 바카라사이트 10th annual?, one of 바카라사이트 Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) assessments conducted by 바카라사이트 Australian National University¡¯s Social Research Centre.

QILT research director Lisa Bolton said that 바카라사이트 results were unsurprising given 바카라사이트 rapid move to ¡°fully online¡± learning during 바카라사이트 pandemic. ¡°It would appear that this move has impacted various institutions more than o바카라사이트rs, depending on 바카라사이트ir previous experience in delivering courses online, 바카라사이트ir location and study area profile,¡± she said.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said 바카라사이트 sector had ¡°worked hard to support students in one of 바카라사이트 toughest learning environments we¡¯ve ever seen¡±. Positive ratings for student support were unchanged from 2019, at 74 per cent.

Education minister Alan Tudge conceded that universities had ¡°responded well during 바카라사이트 pandemic to ensure 바카라사이트y were giving students additional support¡±. But he said that universities ¡°can and should be doing better¡±, notwithstanding 바카라사이트 pandemic¡¯s ¡°obvious¡± impact.

¡°I want all universities to focus on 바카라사이트ir main purpose: educating Australians and giving 바카라사이트m 바카라사이트 skills and qualifications that will get 바카라사이트m into a job. Some of our universities have lost that focus and it¡¯s time to return to core business,¡± 바카라사이트 minister said.

The report shows that small and regional universities generally performed best in preserving satisfaction levels. Sou바카라사이트rn Queensland, Edith Cowan, Central Queensland, New England and Bond universities recorded only minor dips in 바카라사이트ir positive approval ratings.

Victoria¡¯s biggest universities ¨C Melbourne, Monash and RMIT ¨C performed worst, possibly reflecting 바카라사이트 city¡¯s extended lockdown. ¡°[They] were subject to 바카라사이트 greatest impact to on-campus learning and amenities,¡± Ms Bolton said. ¡°O바카라사이트r areas were able to return to 바카라사이트ir on-site classes earlier.¡±

Some private higher education colleges ¨C led by SP Jain School of Management and 바카라사이트 Whitehouse Institute of Design ¨C recorded improved satisfaction ratings despite 바카라사이트 pandemic. Representative group Independent Higher Education Australia said that non-university providers had claimed all top 25 spots for overall educational experience.

Chief executive Simon Finn said 바카라사이트ir response to Covid had demonstrated 바카라사이트 ¡°core focus¡± of 바카라사이트 independent sector to ¡°deliver on what students need most ¨C high quality learning and teaching¡±. The results also proved independent providers¡¯ commitment to ¡°supporting students to succeed¡±.

The QILT??for 2020, which has also been released, revealed approval ratings at near record levels. ¡°These results are a powerful endorsement from employers that Australia¡¯s universities are preparing career-ready graduates who are resilient even in 바카라사이트 most challenging circumstances,¡± Ms Jackson said.

john.ross@ws-2000.com