Student experiences of online learning and technology 2021/22

A record number of higher and further education students participated in Jisc's annual digital experience insights survey, highlighting good practice as well as areas of concern following the transition to widespread online learning during the pandemic

Key findings

 Jisc's survey of higher education (HE) students found that:

• Just over half (51%) said they received support for learning online or away from campus, and 41% had guidance about the digital skills needed for their course.
• However, only 46% were assessed on their digital skills and training skills. Just 9% said they did not need any support.
• 63% of respondents experienced difficulties with wifi connections, 30% had issues accessing online platforms and services and 24% faced problems with mobile data costs.
• More than two thirds (67%) rated their experience of online learning positively through from 'good' to 'best imaginable', 68% said the online environment was safe and secure, and 53% agreed that learning materials were well designed.
• Nevertheless, only a third of students said they felt their concerns were being heard, with 35% agreeing that they were given a chance to be involved in decisions about online learning.

The survey of further education (FE) learners found that:

• Almost half (49%) reported problems with wifi and 21% faced challenges accessing online platforms or services.
• 16% struggled to pay mobile data costs, 14% didn't own a suitable device and 12% didn't have a safe, private place to work.
• However, two thirds of respondents reported that the quality of online and digital learning was positive, rating it from 'good' through to 'best imaginable'.
• 65% said they were able to access online systems and services from anywhere and 64% were supported to use their own devices.
• Nearly half (49%) said they were involved in decisions about online learning.

What's inside

In both the FE and HE reports, students' and learners' responses are analysed across four main themes:

• You and your current learning situation.
• Digital platforms and services at your organisation.
• Technology in your learning.
• Your digital skills.

Both reports also include student and learner voices on topics such as:

• the most positive aspects of online learning
• the most negative aspects of online learning
• improving the quality of online learning and helping learners to learn effectively online.

About the reports

 Jisc's annual digital experience insights reports provide FE and HE institutions with a better understanding of students' and learners' expectations and experiences of technology. This powerful data can be used to inform digital strategy and investment decisions.

 These editions were published in September 2021. The FE survey was conducted between October 2020 and April 2021 with 23,741 participants from 39 colleges/sixth forms. Meanwhile the HE survey, carried out during the same period, had a total of 38,917 participants from 41 different universities. The full demographic breakdown of survey respondents can be found in the reports.

Written by

Dan Mason

Editorial manager

Prospects