Number of seized fake euro bills falls | WPN World People News

A survey conducted by Home Learning College among 3,000 adults reveals that 10% of Londoners have used technology to cheat in exams, compared to a 5% national average. However, across the country 38% said the internet helps them gain greater knowledge of their subject and attain better grades.

Almost a tenth of adults (9%) living in London admit using modern technology, such as smart phones, to cheat during an exam, according to research by distance learning specialist Home Learning College. This is higher than the UK average of 5% and the greatest figure for any region. A further 7% of the capital’s residents confessed to plagiarising work on the internet, compared to 4% nationally.

The most honest region revealed by the survey was the East Midlands. A mere 1% of local residents have used technology underhandedly during exams and the same number admitted to internet plagiarism.

Cheating aside, 39% of all respondents said the internet helps them gain greater knowledge of their subject and attain better grades. A further 25% reported they would enjoy studying less without access to the internet. However, the survey did highlight a gender divide in the use of online study resources. Over two fifths of females (43%) praised the role of the internet in gaining new qualifications compared to just a third of males.

In line with expectations, use of the internet as a study resource is highest among younger respondents. Nevertheless, a quarter of those aged 55+ still reported that the internet helps them to achieve greater study success.

Home Learning College was the first distance learning provider to develop an online campus for students. The Virtual Learning Community (VLC) allows students to interact with their tutor, take part in forums and online classes, upload assignments and access frequently asked questions. Since its launch in April 2008, the VLC has become extremely popular, with around one million user sessions each month.

Since the introduction of the VLC, Home Learning College tutors spend less time answering common questions and more time on marking and proactively supporting students. This has allowed the college to beat ambitious targets to mark all work within 14 days. In fact, during 2010, 99% of assignments were marked within seven days.

“The internet has revolutionised the world of education and has had a particularly positive impact on the delivery of distance learning,” says Dave Snow, Academic Director at Home Learning College. “While there will always be a small percentage of students who choose to use online resources for less than honest purposes, on the whole the internet plays an important and valid role in the acquisition of knowledge and the sharing of ideas. Our Virtual Learning Community acts as a vibrant online campus, allowing students to engage with their tutor and peers and get the most from their studies.”