Factors influencing mode of study preferences in post-graduate business students

Abstract

Post graduate management education has been strongly influenced by information technology and increasing demands for more flexible delivery. Programs have responded by maintaining traditional face to face teaching, but increasing intensive and fully online offerings. In this research, students were asked why they chose a specific mode of learning, whether it met their expectations and the extent to which they learned. Traditional face to face learning appeared to be the preferred method of learning. Intensive and online learning was used to balance work and lifestyle pressures and/or to deal with geography. While learning style had some influence, most learners, felt they would learn more in a traditional format. Learners selecting intensive mode appeared to be more focussed on balancing work and lifestyle needs with their education and appeared less concerned about learning benefits. Learners selecting the fully online option appeared to be challenged by online interactivity and suggested preference for a more traditional face to face experience, even though the overall findings suggest they reported the most amount of learning. Understanding the reasons why specific modes of study are selected is important when making for academic programming decisions as courses move to more flexible delivery modes.