Media Usage in Post-Secondary Education and Implications for Teaching and Learning

G Gidion,L.F Capretz,K.N Meadows,M Grosch

doi:10.4108/el.1.4.e3

Abstract

The Web 2.0 has permeated academic life. The use of online information services in post-secondary education has led to dramatic changes in faculty teaching methods as well as in the learning and study behavior of students. At the same time, traditional information media, such as textbooks and printed handouts, still form the basic pillars of teaching and learning. This paper reports the results of a survey about media usage in teaching and learning conducted with Western University students and instructors, highlighting trends in the usage of new and traditional media in higher education by instructors and students. In addition, the survey comprises part of an international research program in which 20 universities from 10 countries are currently participating. Further, the study will hopefully become a part of the ongoing discussion of practices and policies that purport to advance the effective use of media in teaching and learning.

Highlights

Students tend to be early adopters of media and information technology, as they possess ample opportunities to access media, encouraged by their curiosity and self-taught skills
Stanford students created Google, the most commonly used search engine on the Internet, in the latter Facebook, which was created by Harvard University students in 2004, has become one of the most successful Internet services worldwide in less than ten years
Future academic education will likely be influenced by media usage habits currently on the increase

Summary

Introduction

Students tend to be early adopters of media and information technology, as they possess ample opportunities to access media, encouraged by their curiosity and self-taught skills. The integration of IT media and services in higher education has led to substantial changes in the ways in which both students and instructors study, learn, and teach [1]. A survey of students’ and instructors’ media usage habits was conducted at Western University in 2013. This survey sought to measure the extent to which media services are used in teaching and learning as well as to assess changes in media usage patterns. Future academic education will likely be influenced by media usage habits currently on the increase.

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion