Developing an e-learning strategy for the University of Plymouth; the student view

To inform the University of Plymouth's review of its e-learning strategy, information was collected from students in order to gain a better understanding of their e-learning experiences. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected from 1,405 students using both on-line and face-to-face survey methodologies. Responses were received from all years of mainly undergraduate students but with a variable distribution across faculties. This reflected the variable extent of staff e-learning provision. Student use centred mainly on e-mail, lecture materials and course information, and there were additional indications of variable staff and student use of the MLE. The students expressed a clear view that staff development was necessary to ensure that all staff used it effectively, and their views on 'best practice' provision for e-learning provided a validated basis for such staff training. Whilst most student feedback dealt with operational issues, this was valuable in informing the technical development of the MLE., training provision and some major university policy issues that needed to be addressed. It also indicated that much could be achieved from more effectively exploiting the existing investment in the MLE, relative to the time effort and expense required to achieve this.