Online learning is here to stay, survey finds

Nine in ten learners believe online education is here to stay in some form, according to a new survey.

Most people think the future of learning will have a major online element, a new survey finds.

Some form of online learning at universities is here to stay according to 90 per cent of Australian learners surveyed by global education company Pearson, and 80 per cent say universities will be “fundamentally changed” by the COVID-19 outbreak.

One indicator is that 73 per cent of the 1000 Australians who responded said fewer people would be able to pay for university as a result of the pandemic.

Of those surveyed, 72 per cent said the Australian education system had adapted well to students’ needs during the pandemic.

Other Australian results from Pearson’s second annual Global Learner survey of 7000 people in seven countries, conducted between from June 8 and 14, included that an increasing proportion — 76 per cent — said a vocational college or trade school qualification was better for jobs and career prospects than a degree.

This compared with 68 per cent in last year’s survey.

Similarly, 67 per cent said universities were not teaching the right skills for today’s job market, compared with 58 per cent last year. Ninety-one per cent said universities should work more effec­tively with businesses to make learning relevant to a future career.