Reforming the Australian Tertiary System
I am posting a quick blog on the suggested reforms to the Australian tertiary system, as discussed this morning on the Breakfast show on ABC Radio National.
I am aware of changes to the tertiary sector in Australia, in particular with respect to the new model of study, called the Block Model, at Victoria University here in Victoria. I attend the career practitioners’ seminars every year so that I keep on top of all of the important changes to tertiary offerings. The Victoria University information session was just two weeks ago and I was so impressed with the presentation of recent data around the success of the new block model.
The discussion on ABC Radio National this morning paid attention to this tertiary reform and Fran Kelly interviewed Professor Peter Dawkins, Vice Chancellor of Victoria University; co-author, Rethinking and Revitalising Tertiary Education in Australia. Professor Dawkins explained why tertiary facilities that offered certificate, diploma and bachelor degree programs delivered in blocks allowed an amazing amount of flexibility of study options to students.
The tertiary reform is long overdue as many students find themselves funneled into university courses without regard to their preferred style of learning, nor indeed to their other commitments, including work or raising small children. The block model, which has been borrowed from systems in the UK, USA and Sweden, has proven results as the students are able to opt to study single units on top of their main course, or divide their study across the day or evening. Block mode involves studying one subject, or unit, at a time intensively instead of four units across a semester. This seems to suit a lot of students meaning that results, as well as retention rates have improved significantly at Victoria University.
Here’s the link to the radio discussion and then having listened in, please contact me if you’d like to find out more about tertiary study options for you or your child. You can email using my contact box.
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