As colleges and universities navigate the blend of traditional and digital educational models, student preferences play a crucial role in shaping the future of academic delivery methods. The current data reveals a significant inclination toward digital formats over traditional, in-person methods, reflecting broader trends in technology adoption among college students.3 Offering additional learning models that are more flexible and autonomous can better meet the varying needs and schedules of students, ultimately making education more accessible and can foster social mobility.
Remote and hybrid course models have become increasingly prevalent, with 45% of students reporting their courses are completely remote, while 17% are experiencing a hybrid model that combines online and in-person learning. To put this into perspective, only 8% of undergraduate students were enrolled in online courses in 2000.4 By the 2015-16 academic school year, this number had increased dramatically, with 43% of undergraduate students taking at least one online class.4 The rapid growth in online and hybrid learning, which was even further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the significant higher education digital transformation toward more flexible and technology-integrated learning models.
Trends in Communication Methods
Communication preferences among students further emphasize this digital shift. An overwhelming 87% of students prefer emailing their professors over any other form of communication, starkly contrasting with the 11% who favor in-person interactions. It is possible this preference highlights the value placed on the convenience and record-keeping ability of digital communication. Interestingly, male students are slightly more inclined than female students to choose in-person communication, with 14% of males preferring this method compared to 8% of females.
Preferred Types of Course Materials
The use of digital resources also extends to course materials, where 66% of students surveyed primarily use digital textbooks. This choice is likely driven by the ease of access and portability that digital textbooks offer.5 Additionally, more than half of the students surveyed (55%) prefer to access instructor-assigned readings in a digital format rather than in physical print form.
Testing Format Preferences
Testing formats also reflect a similar trend, with 67% of students favoring digital tests over traditional paper-based exams. This preference could be attributed to the perceived convenience, immediate feedback mechanisms and the reduced anxiety associated with digital test formats.6
When considering the overall structure of their academic experience, the students we surveyed showed diverse preferences, as 39% would opt for the majority of their classes to be conducted remotely, 33% favor a hybrid approach and only 25% prefer entirely in-person classes. This data suggests a strong demand for flexibility in learning environments, with a significant portion of the student body appreciating the benefits that remote and hybrid learning models offer.
These survey results show strong favoritism toward online learning tools among students, reflecting a trend that aligns with modern educational preferences. At GCU, we cater to these preferences by providing a variety of learning modalities tailored to student needs, offering a variety of accredited degree programs both online and on our vibrant, collaborative campus. This provides campus-based students with the flexibility and accessibility of online learning while still experiencing the enriching social and academic environment of an on-campus education.
