Adult Learners Demand Education On Their Terms: Eduventures Explores The Scheduling And Format Preferences Of Adult Learners
Flexibility is a hallmark of continuing and professional education. This is particularly clear when it comes to adult learners' growing preference for nontraditional scheduling and delivery formats, according to a recent nationwide survey of more than 25,000 current and prospective continuing and professional education students conducted by Eduventures, the leading research and consulting firm for the education industry.
Boston, MA (PRWEB) March 6, 2007
Flexibility is a hallmark of continuing and professional education. This is particularly clear when it comes to adult learners' growing preference for nontraditional scheduling and delivery formats, according to a recent nationwide survey of more than 25,000 current and prospective continuing and professional education students conducted by Eduventures, the leading research and consulting firm for the education industry.
According to the research, the perfect schedule for adult learners consists of classes held in the middle of the week, Tuesday through Thursday, during late afternoons and early evenings (5 p. m. to 8 p. m.). In addition, Eduventures found great interest among adult learners in courses and programs delivered in an accelerated summer session, 100 percent online, or hybrid format, with approximately half of surveyed consumers reporting that they are likely to consider these special continuing education formats.
"The 'most convenient schedule' is the single most important reason students cite for choosing to enroll at their current institution," said Sean Gallagher, program director and senior research analyst for Eduventures' Learning Collaborative program in Continuing and Professional Education. "To meet demands for flexibility, the pendulum is continuing to swing toward more flexible delivery modes and course and program formats. The institutions that are able to optimize their scheduling patterns and formats for the appropriate audiences will be best positioned for success and growth."
Assessing Consumer Preferences for Adult, Continuing, and Professional Education: Scheduling, Formatting, and Delivery Mode Preferences is the third in a series of reports released this winter analyzing continuing and professional education consumers' preferences and educational purchasing process. This research is a product of Eduventures' Learning Collaborative in Continuing and Professional Education, a member-based research program designed to help college and university administrators of continuing and professional education departments address critical strategic, marketing, and operational challenges. For more information on the Learning Collaborative programs or the report, contact Blair Walker at 617-532-6060.
ABOUT EDUVENTURES
For more than a decade, Eduventures has been the most trusted name in the education market for research, consulting services and peer networking. Its clients include senior administrators and executives from leading educational institutions and companies serving the K-12, higher education and corporate learning markets, as well as decision-makers in government agencies and the investment community. For more information, visit www. eduventures. com.
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