Framework to improve delivery methods in higher education through online learning

Abstract

A large number of higher education institutes are increasingly embracing online learning. Australia is fairly one of the primarily countries that attracts a large number of international students. A lot of delivery methods have been attempted in higher education to attract students from various environments. Many numbers of students are already taking different mode of online learning such as distance education, synchronous online learning, asynchronous online learning, and recently with the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). Nevertheless, there are still difficulties of implementing online learning such as teaching and learning online, the capability of technologies, the support needed for high quality lecturers, and the needs of students. Adding to these factors, well-designed pedagogy, proper technology, and students' needs are another requisite to draw better quality of online learning for higher educational environment. To navigate the upcoming storm of online learning in higher education, good understanding of current status of online learning and direction of future online learning is necessitated. In response, a survey was conducted to explore perceptions of different delivery methods from both students and faculties in Australian university. Based on the result, this research proposed a framework to enhance variety of delivery methods in higher education.