The Everyday Use of ICT in Norwegian Flexible Education

Abstract

Much of what we have learned about the use of ICT in teaching and other educational settings is based on limited case studies which primarily serve as examples. We know relatively little about how ICT is used on an everyday basis, particularly in higher education. A comprehensive national survey of adult flexible students’ learning situation helps to throw light on some aspects of this. The survey was carried out in 2004-05. The database includes 1477 respondents from a total of 74 “classes”, all following flexible higher education courses of a duration from ½ year to 4 years. The survey shows that Internet access is generally good, but clear disparities are shown for example between different occupational groups. Our results also show that in the course of the studies, simple basic functions are those primarily used by the students. Internet plays a less dominant role than expected as a channel of communication between students, or between students and their teachers.