We discover what post-school-age college students wish to do sooner or later, how they really feel about on-line studying, and whether or not they would think about taking an internet diploma.
Do you bear in mind being an adolescent and worrying about your profession selection? On the cusp of your future, attempting to determine your subsequent steps? FutureLearn just lately attended the Step Up Expo, an occasion designed to assist college and school college students discover their schooling and profession choices – and relieve a few of that nervousness.
On the occasion, college students discovered steering on GCSE choices, school selections, employment, coaching and hole 12 months alternatives. On-line studying is a useful instrument for college students, whether or not they wish to study a brand new talent, achieve an introduction to a possible profession, or complement their college schooling – so in fact, we attended the occasion.
We additionally needed to talk to 16-18 12 months olds serious about their futures and discover out about their attitudes and understanding of on-line studying. Did they understand it was a chance for them? Had they tried FutureLearn earlier than? We arrange a brief survey to seek out out extra, and you may discover our findings on this article.
Occasion highlights
The Step Up Expo had a complete of seven,241 guests, together with 5,677 college students, 1,366 dad and mom, 198 academics, and 100 exhibitors. On the FutureLearn stand, we served over 300 scorching drinks at our ‘Your future is brewing’ espresso stand, and had the prospect to talk to a lot of college students and fogeys about the way forward for greater schooling and on-line studying alternatives.
We held two talks over the weekend – one in regards to the prime 10 trending jobs proper now, the place our companion, Accenture, spoke about in-demand careers, together with elements like job satisfaction and salaries. Our different speak centred round completely different post-school pathways, together with the potential for taking an on-line diploma.
Survey findings: What do teenagers consider on-line studying?
To realize a deeper perception into the perceptions and habits associated to on-line studying amongst 16-18-year-olds, we carried out a brief survey utilizing a big touchscreen at our occasion stand. The survey was accomplished by 142 youngsters, offering priceless information that make clear the next key facets.
Submit-school plans and the longer term
Once we requested teenagers about their future plans, 55% of respondents expressed their intention to pursue college straight after college, whereas 29% have been unsure and 17% deliberate to enter the workforce instantly.
Whereas this exhibits {that a} slight majority of faculty leavers wish to attend college, 45% are not sure or produce other plans, demonstrating that college students don’t really feel resigned to only one schooling pathway.
On-line course expertise and consciousness of FutureLearn
A big variety of college students (33%) had taken an internet course earlier than, however the majority (67%) had not but explored this mode of studying, so attending the occasion was an amazing alternative to boost consciousness of on-line schooling and its completely different capabilities.
Solely 19% of respondents had heard of FutureLearn earlier than the occasion. That is comprehensible contemplating these college students have been in full-time schooling for a few years, and maybe haven’t thought of on-line studying outdoors of faculty earlier than.
Consciousness of on-line levels
Subsequent, the survey questions broached the subject of on-line levels. The survey outcomes revealed that 46% of respondents have been conscious of the potential for pursuing a level on-line, whereas the remaining 54% have been unaware of this various.
The truth that nearly all of college students have been unaware of on-line levels highlights the necessity for extra consciousness round on-line studying – college students who could not attend conventional universities because of the value, lack of flexibility and life commitments (work and household) could discover on-line levels to be the proper greater schooling various.
Advantages of on-line levels
When requested about essentially the most interesting facets of on-line levels, 39% of scholars emphasised the pliability of studying anyplace, at any time – one thing that we worth at FutureLearn. Whether or not you wish to research out of your front room couch, in your prepare commute, at a restaurant or on vacation – something is feasible with an internet diploma.
Trying on the different advantages of on-line levels, 31% of scholars highlighted the cost-effectiveness, and 30% noticed it as a chance to kickstart their careers whereas studying. You’ll be able to study extra about the advantages of on-line levels in our weblog publish on getting ready for on-line college.
Drawbacks of on-line levels
We have been additionally interested by any issues that college students may need about pursuing an internet diploma. The outcomes indicated that 32% of respondents have been involved in regards to the lack of entry to studying and social services, adopted carefully by 31% expressing issues in regards to the lack of social connection.
Moreover, 20% cited the shortcoming to affix social or sports activities golf equipment, whereas 17% have been apprehensive about not experiencing conventional campus studying.
Most popular on-line studying platforms
We needed to achieve perception into the most typical platforms teenagers use for on-line studying. Notably, 61% of respondents reported utilizing YouTube as their main supply for on-line studying, adopted by TikTok at 25%.
It’s not altogether shocking that social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok are mostly used for schooling inside this age group – nearly all of teenagers use social media every day, and studying on these platforms is delivered by way of brief, extremely partaking movies.
Insights corresponding to this can be a helpful consideration for us when creating on-line programs aimed at college or college-aged college students sooner or later.
Remaining ideas
It’s clear that 16-18 12 months olds haven’t but explored all the probabilities of on-line studying. Whereas they might select to study casually on social media, they’re not but totally conscious of the potential of high-quality, credible on-line programs, certifications and levels, like ours – and it’s our job to unfold consciousness of those advantages.
By actively partaking with this new era of learners, we hope to empower younger folks to amass new abilities on-line and pursue their desired profession paths in a method that works for them.
