Block Mode Study: Opportunities and Challenges for a New Generation of Learners in an Australian University

Block Mode Study: Opportunities and Challenges for a New Generation of Learners in an Australian University

Blog Article

This article is an update on a university-wide overhaul of its pedagogy, curriculum and delivery to support the expanding non-traditional, new generation learners while enhancing opportunity and success for traditional Data Tools learners.The Block Model developed by Victoria University (VU), Australia for its undergraduate cohort, was a bold response to support all students including its high proportion of First-in-family (FiF), low socio-economic status (LSES), and non-English-speaking background (NESB) students.In this radical new hybrid Block model, students study one unit/subject at a time over four weeks.The article reports on preliminary results after two years of implementing the VU Block Model.

While both traditional and new-generation cohorts significantly improved their sleeve performance, there was a higher improvement in the pass rates of LSES, NESB and FiF students, compared to the improvements in the traditional cohorts of students.These initial results confirm the value of the institution-wide strategy to expand opportunity and enhance success for all.