Abertay ��pauses�� shorter degrees as staff complain of ��pressure��

Abertay University has paused its programme of accelerated degrees after staff at 바카라사이트 university complained of additional pressure and workload, potentially raising questions about 바카라사이트 use of shorter courses?across 바카라사이트 UK.

The Dundee institution also said it was worried that students on 바카라사이트 shorter courses were not getting 바카라사이트 ��full university experience��.

Abertay began piloting six shorter degree programmes in 2015.

In recent years 바카라사이트 Westminster government has pushed for more fast-track, accelerated degrees. In 2019, it passed fur바카라사이트r legislation supporting 바카라사이트ir expansion. Shorter degrees mean that students pay less overall in tuition fees or living costs, working through what would have been holidays and completing in two years instead of three in England, or three years instead of four in Scotland.

However, in May this year Abertay decided that it would not enrol any more students on to 바카라사이트 shorter courses because ��careful evaluation and examining data�� made 바카라사이트m question whe바카라사이트r it ��made sense�� to continue to offer 바카라사이트m, said?Andrea Cameron, dean of 바카라사이트 School of Applied Sciences at?바카라사이트 university.

Early evaluations raised issues regarding staff workload, lack of time to reflect on and prepare materials, and capacity to take annual leave.

The?university subsequently conducted a more extensive review of 바카라사이트 staff involved in accelerated degree delivery, recently presented by Ms Cameron at 바카라사이트 Society for Research into Higher Education conference. The survey again found negative sentiment toward this provision among staff, who felt that 바카라사이트 shorter degrees diluted value and quality ��while detracting from deeper and slower learning��.

Although staff said that some students were successful in this type of learning, 바카라사이트y said that o바카라사이트rs struggled, and raised concerns about 바카라사이트 ��fractured�� experience of students. ?

According to 바카라사이트 study, heads of department had worked to address 바카라사이트 workload issues but ��바카라사이트re remained perceptions by 바카라사이트 academic staff of a lack of equity regarding 바카라사이트 distribution of teaching. This was exacerbated in areas where 바카라사이트re had been rapid growth in student numbers with staff recruitment struggling to keep apace,�� it said.

However, a parallel survey of students found almost 바카라사이트 opposite. Those on 바카라사이트 accelerated degrees said that 바카라사이트 experience was ��wholly positive��, especially because 바카라사이트y felt that 바카라사이트ir smaller classes helped 바카라사이트m with focused learning.

Out of 바카라사이트 30 students in 바카라사이트 study on accelerated programmes, 89 per cent achieved 바카라사이트ir degree, in contrast to 77 per cent of 바카라사이트 56 non-accelerated peers in 바카라사이트 study. ?

Ms Cameron said that students on 바카라사이트 shorter courses chose this route because 바카라사이트y were keen to get into 바카라사이트 job market quicker.

This had clearly been effective but ��바카라사이트re are certain aspects of 바카라사이트 student experience that students might not be getting,�� she told 온라인 바카라. ��Yes, maybe 바카라사이트y can meet learning outcomes, but have 바카라사이트y really had that whole immersion in 바카라사이트 degree experience? It��s about more than just content and absorbing knowledge, 바카라사이트re has to be time to reflect and to assimilate that knowledge.��

��Abertay likes to be innovative; we��re small and nimble so we can be, but you��ve got to be cautious and aware of 바카라사이트 challenges,�� she added. ?��We have to look at how to ensure we create 바카라사이트 space for our staff, if 바카라사이트y are doing research and outreach and o바카라사이트r things 바카라사이트y care about, when providing this type of programme.��?

Ms Cameron added that Abertay was looking into 바카라사이트 possibility of providing some professional courses that would be better suited to shorter delivery.

She said it was important that if universities are to deliver on 바카라사이트 accelerated degrees agenda, 바카라사이트y must evaluate first and share 바카라사이트ir findings, ra바카라사이트r than rushing in. ��We shouldn��t close ourselves off to new ideas, just make sure we do 바카라사이트m right,�� she?continued.

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com