4 - Reengineering Postgraduate Curricula and its Mode of Delivery: Graduate Students’ Views of Modular Course Delivery at Addis Ababa University
Corresponding Author(s) : Daniel Tefera
Journal of Higher Education in Africa,
Vol. 11 No. 1-2 (2013): Journal of Higher Education in Africa
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the graduate students’ views regarding the modular course delivery of the master’s programme in Addis Ababa University. It attempted to answer four basic questions: what are the attitudes of the graduate students towards the modular curricula and block teaching mode of delivery? Is there any difference in students’ preference for modular delivery across different colleges/subjects/disciplines? What are the major strengths and weaknesses of modular course delivery as perceived by graduate students? And what are the outstanding academic and administrative problems encountered by the modular course delivery? The study used the survey method supported by qualitative data collection procedures. Questionnaire was employed to collect data from 732 first year graduate students. However, analysis was made on properly completed and returned 724 questionnaires. Besides six focus group discussions were held. The quantitative data were analyzed by using percentages, means and composite scores, standard deviations and analysis of variance and Tukey HSD. The results showed that graduate students’ overall attitude toward the modular programme is positive. The modular delivery was also perceived favorably. However, significant differences were observed between students of different colleges with regard to attitude towards the modular programme, modular delivery and availability and accessibility of module related materials.
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- Addis Ababa University, 2009a, Business Process Reengineering of the Teaching Learning Process at Addis Ababa University, A Comprehensive report presented to the university by the BPR team for teaching and learning core process.
- Addis Ababa University, 2009b, Reengineering Graduate Teaching at AAU, Document prepared by School of Graduate Studies (SGS) of the AAU.
- Addis Ababa University, 2009c, Procedure for the Masters Programme Process of Modularization and Block Teaching, A guide line document prepared by School of Graduate Studies (SGS) of the AAU.
- Ayalew, Shibeshi, Daniel, Teferra and Solomon, Areaya, 2010, An Evaluation Study of the Modular Course Delivery, A Report Presented to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of School of Graduate Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
- B e t t s , M . a n d S m i t h R o b i n , 1 9 9 8 , Developing the Credit-based Modular Curriculum in Higher Education, Falmer Press, UK.
- Burns, B., 1971, ‘Methods for Individualizing Instruction’ Educational Technology,11, 55-58.
- Daniel, E.L., 2000, A Review of Time–shortened Courses across Disciplines, College Student Journal, 34, 298-308.
- Dochy, F.J.R.C., Wagemans, L.J.J.M. and de.Wolf, W.C., 1989, Modularization and Student Learning in Modular Instruction in Relation with Prior Knowledge, Heerlen: Open University.
- Gddschmid, B. & Gddschnid, M.L., 1973, ‘Modular Instruction in Higher Education:A Review’, Higher Education 2, 15-53.
- Grant, David Bruce, 2001, ‘Using Block Courses for Teaching Logistics’, International Journal of Physical Distribution of Education for Business, 31(7-8).
- Henebry, Kathleen, 1997, ‘The Impact of Class Schedule on Student Performance in a Financial Management Course’ Journal of Education for Business 73(2).
- Klingstdt, G.L., 1971, ‘Developing Instructional Models for Individualized Instruction’, Educational Technology, 11, 73-74.
- Petrowsky, M.C., 1996, ‘The Weeks Summer Macroeconomics Course: Success or Failure’ Glendale Community College (ERIC Documentation Reproduction No. ED396779).
- Radhakrishnan, P., 2008, ‘Academic Freedom from a Human Rights’ Perspective: The Indian Case and its Relevance to Africa’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa (JHEA), Vol.6, Nos. 2&3, pp.183-210.
- Scott, P.A. and Conard, C., 1991, A Critique of Intensive Teaching and an Agenda for Research,
- Higher education: Handbook of theory and research.
- Solomon Areaya, Ayalew Shibeshi, Daniel Teferra, 2011, ‘Academic Staff ’s Views and Practices of Modular Course Delivery: Graduate Programme at Addis Ababa University in Focus’, The Ethiopian Journal of Education, Volume XXXI, No. 2, pp. 63-106, December 2011.
- Solomon Areaya, 2010, ‘Tension Between Massification and Intensification Reforms and Implications for Teaching and Learning in Ethiopian Public Universities; JHEA/RESAVol. 8, No. 2, 2010, pp.93-115.
- Stegelbauer, S.M, 2008, The Dimensions of Learning. Form Plans to Action, in S.P Gordon (ed),
- Collaborative Action Research: Developing Professional Learning Communities, New York: Teachers College Press.
- Teferra, D. and Altbach, P.G., 2004, ‘African Higher Education: Challenges of the 21ˢᵗ century’, Higher Education, Volume 47, Issue 1, pp. 21-50.
- Theodossin, E., 1986, The Modular Market, Bristol: The Further Education Staff College.
References
Addis Ababa University, 2009a, Business Process Reengineering of the Teaching Learning Process at Addis Ababa University, A Comprehensive report presented to the university by the BPR team for teaching and learning core process.
Addis Ababa University, 2009b, Reengineering Graduate Teaching at AAU, Document prepared by School of Graduate Studies (SGS) of the AAU.
Addis Ababa University, 2009c, Procedure for the Masters Programme Process of Modularization and Block Teaching, A guide line document prepared by School of Graduate Studies (SGS) of the AAU.
Ayalew, Shibeshi, Daniel, Teferra and Solomon, Areaya, 2010, An Evaluation Study of the Modular Course Delivery, A Report Presented to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of School of Graduate Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
B e t t s , M . a n d S m i t h R o b i n , 1 9 9 8 , Developing the Credit-based Modular Curriculum in Higher Education, Falmer Press, UK.
Burns, B., 1971, ‘Methods for Individualizing Instruction’ Educational Technology,11, 55-58.
Daniel, E.L., 2000, A Review of Time–shortened Courses across Disciplines, College Student Journal, 34, 298-308.
Dochy, F.J.R.C., Wagemans, L.J.J.M. and de.Wolf, W.C., 1989, Modularization and Student Learning in Modular Instruction in Relation with Prior Knowledge, Heerlen: Open University.
Gddschmid, B. & Gddschnid, M.L., 1973, ‘Modular Instruction in Higher Education:A Review’, Higher Education 2, 15-53.
Grant, David Bruce, 2001, ‘Using Block Courses for Teaching Logistics’, International Journal of Physical Distribution of Education for Business, 31(7-8).
Henebry, Kathleen, 1997, ‘The Impact of Class Schedule on Student Performance in a Financial Management Course’ Journal of Education for Business 73(2).
Klingstdt, G.L., 1971, ‘Developing Instructional Models for Individualized Instruction’, Educational Technology, 11, 73-74.
Petrowsky, M.C., 1996, ‘The Weeks Summer Macroeconomics Course: Success or Failure’ Glendale Community College (ERIC Documentation Reproduction No. ED396779).
Radhakrishnan, P., 2008, ‘Academic Freedom from a Human Rights’ Perspective: The Indian Case and its Relevance to Africa’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa (JHEA), Vol.6, Nos. 2&3, pp.183-210.
Scott, P.A. and Conard, C., 1991, A Critique of Intensive Teaching and an Agenda for Research,
Higher education: Handbook of theory and research.
Solomon Areaya, Ayalew Shibeshi, Daniel Teferra, 2011, ‘Academic Staff ’s Views and Practices of Modular Course Delivery: Graduate Programme at Addis Ababa University in Focus’, The Ethiopian Journal of Education, Volume XXXI, No. 2, pp. 63-106, December 2011.
Solomon Areaya, 2010, ‘Tension Between Massification and Intensification Reforms and Implications for Teaching and Learning in Ethiopian Public Universities; JHEA/RESAVol. 8, No. 2, 2010, pp.93-115.
Stegelbauer, S.M, 2008, The Dimensions of Learning. Form Plans to Action, in S.P Gordon (ed),
Collaborative Action Research: Developing Professional Learning Communities, New York: Teachers College Press.
Teferra, D. and Altbach, P.G., 2004, ‘African Higher Education: Challenges of the 21ˢᵗ century’, Higher Education, Volume 47, Issue 1, pp. 21-50.
Theodossin, E., 1986, The Modular Market, Bristol: The Further Education Staff College.