1)The majority of people, who have answered the survey, come from Israel and the US, where there is the strongest Jewish community in the world. The bulletins were sent to Anglo groups both in Israel and in America.
2)The age of the people surveyed falls into two categories: 20-25 and 50+. Since a lot of young people prefer online channel for shiurim, the number of respondents in the 20-25age group was relatively large. However, to my knowledge people in the 50+ age category also represent a big audience, since they are still not too old but already not too young, and they use computers quite extensively. Moreover, 50+ people are approaching the retirement age, therefore they are likely to have more free time in the future.
3)According to the questionnaire results 41% of the respondents have a Bachelor degree, which nowadays is considered a minimum required education level. The next biggest group of people (31%) is represented by those, who have a high school degree only.
4) According to the survey most people affiliate themselves with Orthodox religion. This result could be explained by the fact that most of the bulletins were sent to the communities, where orthodox religion prevails. Moreover, orthodox people are more prone to taking shiurim (classes) online. In my opinion, it is also unlikely for conservative or secular people to follow a gemara (a type of study like "math "geography" etc.) shiur online.
5)The results of the survey indicate that the majority of people have never participated in a distance learning class. Based on this fact, it is possible to infer that distance learning technology is not widely known. Moreover, most people, who know about distance learning opportunities, tend to associate this practice with university education only.
6) The questionnaire also provides an important insight into the most common reasons for using distance learning. The majority of the respondents, who have previously participated in distance learning activities, provided personal fulfillment as their main motivation, which indicates that the courses have been taken for free (Petersen, and Wiley).
7)Moreover, the respondents, who have never participated in distance learning courses, are willing to consider this opportunity in the future.
8)Further analysis of the respondents’ preferences in terms of the methods used for distant learning reveals that most people favor "reading and home assignments", while a smaller group of people was divided into those, who would like to have "real time lessons" and those, who value “real time lessons with chat possibilities". This fact indicates that people still prefer more traditional ways of distance learning and they are not yet ready to switch to the new technologies.
9)It is possible to infer from the survey that most people are ready to pay for a distance learning degree programs. Although not everyone is willing to pay the same amount, the fact that people understand the value of distance learning education is an important conclusion. The questionnaire indicated that only a few people are not ready to pay for an online degree program, however it is possible to assume that those respondents are not familiar with distance learning opportunities.
10) The responses for question 10 demonstrate that the willingness to pay for online courses increases, when there is a possibility to get credits for distance learning classes. Since these credits are needed for obtaining a degree, people are motivated to pay for the online courses.
11)The last question of the survey shows that people will definitely consider Jewish studies for their distance learning curricula. However, despite the interest in the subject, not all people are willing to pay for this opportunity.
CONCLUSIONS
Having analyzed the results of the survey, we can conclude that there is a potential for introducing distance learning opportunities using various teaching methods, including online chat rooms, homework assignments etc. However, most people are ready to pay for it only if they can receive something in return, for example course credits. Unless something is offered for their efforts, most respondents are reluctant to pay for distance learning. However, the majority of people will definitely consider taking courses on Jewish studies, if they can get credits for their participation.
Therefore, we suggest to create a free distance learning program in collaboration with an existing college, which would give credits to the students, who successfully complete online courses. Such approach will probably convince more people to consider taking WY classes.
References
Petersen, Lainie, and Melissa Wiley, eds. "What Are the Best Free Distance
Learning Options?." wiseGEEK. Conjecture Corporation, 2011. Web. 9
Dec 2011.
