Comparison of onshore and offshore student learning experience in an economic unit of study

Abstract

University students often view economics as one of the most challenging subjects. In this paper, we explore whether the same attitude is shared by students at an offshore campus. The analysis is based on a survey of onshore and offshore students in an Australian university. The focus of the paper is on identifying similarities/differences in student attitudes towards economics, their degree of motivation, satisfaction with the content and the delivery of lectures and tutorials, major challenges, and student profile characteristics. A non‐parametric test indicates significant differences between the two cohorts, in terms of their age, enrolment status, paid work commitments, prior study of economics, their motivation and approach to studying the subject, and satisfaction with both the content and the delivery of the lectures/tutorials. The findings in this study are helpful in developing strategies for enhancing student learning in culturally diverse cohorts.

Citation

Havrila, I. and Zhang, C. (2009), "Comparison of onshore and offshore student learning experience in an economic unit of study", Journal of International Education in Business, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 2-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/18363261080001591