July 15, 2023

Study Reveals Growing Preference for Hybrid Learning among International Students

A A recent study has found that a growing number of students prefer a hybrid model of learning. The study, conducted by the Tribal i-graduate's annual International Student Barometer, surveyed over 150,000 international students from around the world.

Study results show that only a minority of students preferred a purely in-person learning experience, with the majority expressing satisfaction with a hybrid model that combines online and in-person learning. The study's findings suggest that hybrid learning models are becoming increasingly popular among international students, as they offer a flexible and convenient way to learn.

Business unit director of surveys and benchmarking at Tribal i-graduate, Nick Pidgeon, expressed his pleasure that the data produced pointed to a positive trajectory. Kyla Steenhart, director of Tribal i-graduate New Zealand, agreed, stating that "While results obviously vary from institution to institution, the progress made in the quality of online learning at an overall level is clear in results from the last three waves of the International Student Barometer."

…by incorporating online components into their education, students can better manage their studies alongside work and personal life, tailoring their schedules to suit their individual needs…

The study found that only 8% of participants preferred all their lectures to be virtual, while 10% preferred all their tutorials to be online. This suggests that most students prefer a mix of in-person and online learning.

Interestingly, the survey highlighted that just 24% of the students surveyed desired more than half of their lectures to be delivered online. Instead, a substantial majority sought a hybrid solution that combines both in-person and online instruction, allowing them to strike a balance between their academic pursuits and personal commitments.

These findings strongly suggest that international students value the flexibility that a hybrid learning model affords them. By incorporating online components into their education, students can better manage their studies alongside work and personal life, tailoring their schedules to suit their individual needs.

The implications of these survey results are profound for educational institutions worldwide. Recognizing the demand for hybrid learning, universities and colleges should strive to develop flexible curricula that incorporate digital technologies while maintaining the benefits of in-person interaction. By doing so, they can provide international students with the optimal learning environment that meets their diverse needs and aspirations, according to an industry stakeholder.

Posted in News and tagged News, Hybrid Learning, International Students, Universities, Colleges, EdTech
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