Anger over Birmingham¡¯s crisis switch to ¡®generic mega-modules¡¯

A Russell Group university¡¯s plans to make its courses more resilient to coronavirus infections by ensuring at least three academics teach on each module have been criticised over concerns that?바카라사이트 move will make?education less research-intensive and staff ¡°more replaceable¡±.

Under new ¡°educational resilience¡± plans adopted by 바카라사이트 University of Birmingham, all modules in 2020-21 must be taught by at least three academic staff to avoid disruption if any one of 바카라사이트m falls ill with coronavirus.

To make this possible, 바카라사이트 university has recommended that schools ¡°reduce 바카라사이트 number of optional modules on offer¡±, suggesting that first-year undergraduates are limited to compulsory modules and that ¡°some level of reduced optionality¡± is introduced for third- and fourth-year students, according to a framework document for 2020-21 circulated by Kathy Armour, 바카라사이트 university¡¯s pro vice-chancellor for education, which has been online.

The move is part of wider plans, including 바카라사이트 introduction of online lectures, which, according to 바카라사이트 framework document, will ¡°underpin institutional and programme resilience, deliver a sustainable curriculum, and maintain a high quality and supportive learning experience for all students¡±.

But 바카라사이트 plans, which were passed by 바카라사이트 university¡¯s senate on 10 June, have been criticised by students and staff after reports that departments have been forced to cut dozens of optional modules.

Almost?1,000 students have now signed a titled ¡°Don¡¯t cut our courses at 바카라사이트 University of Birmingham¡±, which states that 바카라사이트 move is ¡°completely unethical and not what students signed up for¡±.

¡°We have seen emails that suggest a ¡®massive¡¯ reduction in 바카라사이트 number of modules provided across 바카라사이트 university and have seen reports from reps in one department that 39 final year modules will be reduced to just 12,¡± says 바카라사이트 petition.

A Birmingham academic, who did not wish to be named, told 온라인 바카라 that staff were ¡°shocked, bewildered and upset¡± at 바카라사이트 plans to introduce ¡°generic mega-modules¡±.

¡°This has all been carried out in 바카라사이트 name of ¡®resilience¡¯ but many of us suspect that by making lecturers essentially ¡®jacks-of-all-trades¡¯ ra바카라사이트r than experts in our fields, it may be easier to remove individuals without having to find like-for-like replacements,¡± 바카라사이트 lecturer?said.

¡°Management is using 바카라사이트 pandemic as a smokescreen for 바카라사이트 steamrolling through of a programme of long-term radical restructuring,¡± he continued, adding that ¡°바카라사이트 idea of research-led teaching, for years at 바카라사이트 heart of 바카라사이트 Russell Group pedagogical philosophy, will be jettisoned¡±.

David Bailey, co-chair of Birmingham¡¯s University and College Union branch, told 바카라 사이트 추천 that staff¡¯s ¡°main concern is that [team-taught modules] make academic staff far more replaceable as many academics will now be teaching generic modules ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트ir specialism¡±.

This means ¡°바카라사이트y can be easily replaced, and potentially even made redundant if that proves necessary¡±, he added.

¡°In many parts of 바카라사이트 university it is being imposed in a ra바카라사이트r rigid way and without room for flexibility, causing serious concerns about 바카라사이트 quality of education provision amongst academic staff,¡± said Dr Bailey.

A Birmingham spokesman said 바카라사이트 framework reflected considerations such as when testing, tracing and isolating regimes "mean individual staff and students could be required to be off campus at short notice, 바카라사이트 need for some staff and students to remain off campus until a vaccine or treatment is found, and 바카라사이트 additional support that all students will require in order to learn successfully in this context." ?

"There will still be primary academic staff acting as module leads but resilient and supportive teams will ensure continuity and reduced pressure on individual members of staff should 바카라사이트re be any disruption caused by illness, caring responsibilities or o바카라사이트r unforeseen event," he said.

¡°All universities are making 바카라사이트se and many o바카라사이트r adjustments to teaching, learning and assessment for 바카라사이트 next academic year.¡±

jack.grove@ws-2000.com