Smart utilization of tertiary instructional modes

This empirical research surveys first year tertiary business students across different campuses regarding their perceived views concerning traditional, blended and flexible instructional approaches. A structural equation modeling approach shows traditional instructional modes deliver lower levels of student-perceived learning quality, learning experience and learning skills. A combination of on-line and face-to-face learning approaches, embedded across each course, yields far higher levels of total learning effects, and to explain differences in instructional approaches, a ‘Cone of Learning’ continuum is presented and discussed. Theoretical and practical research implications, and the measurement, theoretical and management aspects of future research options are presented. Tertiary institutions can adopt the approaches herein to assist in the development and build of smart targeted learning solutions – ones more in-line with the perceived needs of their respective student year levels and groups.