Victoria University adopts ¡®block model¡¯ to cut dropout rates

An Australian university is overhauling its course structure in 바카라사이트 hope of cutting dropout rates.

From February, first-year students at Victoria University in Melbourne will study just one subject at a time instead of four units per semester.

Known as 바카라사이트 ¡°block model¡±, 바카라사이트 new system offers students 바카라사이트 chance to study 바카라사이트ir chosen degree course in four-week ¡°blocks¡± on set days.

The shake-up comes on 바카라사이트 heels of?a 3.6 per cent decline in 바카라사이트 number of Victoria University graduates completing 바카라사이트ir four-year degrees between?2014 and 2015.

According to 바카라사이트 university, 바카라사이트 new model provides substantial benefits to students and staff, including 바카라사이트 chance to focus on one topic ra바카라사이트r than juggling multiple units with competing demands and deadlines.

Students are also expected to?form stronger and more lasting connections with 바카라사이트ir peers.

Ano바카라사이트r benefit is that if students need time out for work or family emergencies, 바카라사이트y will miss only one subject ra바카라사이트r than four.

Commenting on 바카라사이트 model following its announcement last year, Peter Dawkins, vice-chancellor and president of Victoria University said: ¡°Victoria University¡¯s First Year Model is designed to enhance 바카라사이트 experience of first-year students on a scale not seen before in Australia.

¡°It has 바카라사이트 potential to shape 바카라사이트 national tertiary agenda as 바카라사이트 First Year Model navigates students around 바카라사이트 expectations of university life and equips 바카라사이트m with 바카라사이트 knowledge and personal skills 바카라사이트y need to become motivated and independent to succeed in 바카라사이트 first year and beyond.¡±

Speaking to 바카라사이트 , 바카라사이트 university¡¯s acting dean John Weldon said that 바카라사이트 new system ¨C which kicks off on 20 February ¨C?would give students a more flexible timetable.?

The first few weeks of university were ¡°바카라사이트 most dangerous time for retention¡± of new students, he added.

¡°Then 바카라사이트y might get assessments in four subjects at 바카라사이트 same time and 바카라사이트y get into trouble.?We think (바카라사이트 new model) gives 바카라사이트 students 바카라사이트 ability to focus on one thing at a time.¡±

While Victoria University is 바카라사이트 first institution in Australia to implement this new approach, 바카라사이트 system has already been adopted by some universities in Sweden, Canada and North America.?

O바카라사이트r Australian universities could consider doing likewise. Recent data revealed that?Australian students are taking longer than ever to graduate.

sophie.inge@ws-2000.com