Benefits and Barriers: Applying eLearning in the Context of Organisational Change to Improve the Learning Experience for Mature, Part-Time Students

This paper reports on innovations in an evening degree programme in Information Systems at Trinity College Dublin. The students are mature, experienced professionals who value the collaborative nature of their programme, yet struggle to find time for learning. The aim is to increase choice over location, time and pace of learning. Innovations include the adoption of a virtual learning environment and introduction of moderated discussion groups, helping students to feel connected and to assist one another. Online, interactive coursework modules and podcast lectures allow students to work at their own pace. Secure intranets provide useful information for students and staff. Corresponding organisational and administrative changes are also required, including eLearning support and training for staff and students, coursework scheduling to avoid bottlenecks and reduce stress, and introduction of choice over content. Overall, the technological changes have been relatively straightforward, but changing the organisation and its entrenched work methods has proven harder. The results suggest that asynchronous eLearning can help mature students, but full benefit is likely to be felt only if required organisational and cultural adjustments can also be made.