Different students - Different ways: Challenges of integrating non-traditional students in higher education and how electronic learning can support inclusion

Abstract

The inclusion of non-traditional learners is an important challenge of higher education institutions. The paper presents a research project of Mittweida University of Applied Science Mittweida which investigated the special needs and challenges of two non-traditional student groups, student top athletes and part-time students with professional background. The paper will first present the results of a qualitative study with student top-athletes and students with professional background in order to analyze the conditions and challenges of their study programs and additional commitments. Non-traditional students were asked about their learning requirements and resulting challenges as well as their media literacy and attitude towards electronic learning. Organizational, social and didactic challenges were identified. Based on the results a blended learning design - the flipped classroom approach - is introduced. This approach has been implemented and tested within the framework of a class in scientific writing. Evaluation results show evidence that the developed approach met the needs of non-traditional students and supported inclusion.