Researching transmodal delivery at USQ: different horses for different courses

Abstract

This paper reports on a variety of research studies which have investigated how students perceive the delivery of hybrid/transmodal course resources at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) during 2004/5. This represented a fundamentally new approach to the delivery of materials at USQ, based on a resource-rich CD-ROM containing the main aspects of the study materials supported with multimedia enhancements, online support and some printed materials. The different combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches used for these studies has given the researchers a clear indication of what students felt about this hybrid/transmodal new delivery mode. Analysis of the research data indicated a strong acceptance of the CD-based learning environment, though moderated by a desire to still receive some print-based materials. On the whole however, students reported a preference for a CD-based resource. But why? This and other interesting findings of these studies will be discussed.