A dual device scenario for digital students - Dimple

While most existing online learning environments cater for needs identified during the 1990s, a new generation of 'digital students' has emerged in the developed world. Digital students use technology differently, fluidly (and often simultaneously) using instant messengers, mobile phones, the Web, MP3 players, ipods, online games, blogs and more. If their use of technology is different, the kind of learning environment they will require is likely to be equally different. To identify these differences we ran an online survey in universities from across Europe, followed by focus groups, interviews and observations of students in traditional and online learning environments. From this analysis we have more clearly identified how a learning environment for digital students should be constructed and used; an environment that contains a blend of Internet and mobile technologies which enhance student-tutor and student-student communication through multiple media channels, providing responsiveness, customizability and flexibility to adapt and be adapted to the students' needs.