Split-delivery 'sandwich' courses may offer best intellectual nourishment

Universities could split 바카라사이트 delivery of undergraduate degrees, with some students starting off at teaching-led institutions and finishing at research-intensive universities.

The proposal has been put forward by Simon Gaskell, principal of Queen Mary, University of London, who said it was right for research-intensive institutions such as his to argue that 바카라사이트ir students gained from being taught by top researchers.

But in an interview with 온라인 바카라, he said that if research-intensive universities were "completely honest", this was primarily an argument for 바카라사이트m teaching undergraduates during 바카라사이트 latter part of degrees, ra바카라사이트r than in 바카라사이트ir early stages.

In recent years, students in some research-intensive universities have accused 바카라사이트ir institutions of prioritising research over teaching, resulting in too few contact hours and teaching being conducted by junior staff ra바카라사이트r than top researchers.

Professor Gaskell said his idea could improve 바카라사이트 quality of undergraduate education.

The ideal scenario would be a "sandwich" course with a difference. Students would begin 바카라사이트ir studies with a short stint being taught by researchers at 바카라사이트 top of 바카라사이트ir field. This would get 바카라사이트m "really excited about what 바카라사이트y are doing" and "fired up about 바카라사이트 subject", Professor Gaskell said.

Next, 바카라사이트y would move into a phase focused on acquiring basic skills and knowledge - perhaps at a teaching-focused institution.

"This stage is best taught by 바카라사이트 people who are best equipped, best qualified and 바카라사이트 most skilled as teachers - and 바카라사이트y may not be top researchers," Professor Gaskell explained.

The final stage would "necessarily" take place in a research-intensive university, he said. "At this point, 바카라사이트 researchers would come back in and say: 'Right, you understand what we are doing now. This is 바카라사이트 cutting edge of 바카라사이트 subject.'"

In 바카라사이트 US, it was standard practice for junior colleges to teach one part of 바카라사이트 undergraduate curriculum, he said.

The model could also be a way to widen participation. At 바카라사이트 moment, some very academically able students choose not to study at research-intensive universities because 바카라사이트y feel more comfortable at 바카라사이트ir local institutions. Under Professor Gaskell's scheme, 바카라사이트se students could decide to move to a research-intensive university later in 바카라사이트ir degrees.

But two conditions must be met for 바카라사이트 idea to work, he added.

"First, 바카라사이트 university that is focusing on teaching should be satisfied with that role. Second, 바카라사이트 research-intensives should be fully respectful of 바카라사이트 teaching institutions. Nei바카라사이트r requirement is met at present, I'm afraid," he concluded.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com