The charts illustrate the proportion of students enrolled in different types of courses at Salisbury College in 1984, 1994, and 2004.
Overall, there was a clear shift from traditional face-to-face learning towards technology-based and blended formats over the 20-year period. Face-to-face courses consistently accounted for the largest share, but their dominance declined, while online and mixed-media courses expanded significantly.
In 1984, face-to-face courses were overwhelmingly popular, attracting 67% of students. Correspondence courses were the second most common choice, representing around a quarter of enrolments, whereas mixed-media formats were least preferred. By 1994, the proportion of face-to-face learners had fallen to 53%, and mixed-media enrolment had grown considerably. Notably, online courses emerged for the first time, accounting for 12% of the total, while correspondence courses experienced a slight decline.
The downward trend in face-to-face participation continued into 2004, when it stood at just over half. Online learning rose sharply to 35%, nearly tripling its 1994 share, while mixed-media courses also saw further gains. In contrast, correspondence courses diminished to a negligible proportion, indicating their loss of relevance in an increasingly digital learning environment.