Advocates of “block teaching” are teaming up in an attempt to hasten its adoption by universities worldwide.
Although the model – which involves intensive teaching of modules over a four-to-six-week period – has been around for 50 years, the past five years has seen an “explosion” of interest globally, according to John Weldon, the inaugural president of the newly formed International Block and Intensive Learning and Teaching Association (Ibilta).
Several universities across the UK, North America and Australia have abandoned the semester model in favour of block teaching, including Dr Weldon’s own institution, Victoria University, where he oversaw the process as head of curriculum for its first-year college.
But he said the sector was yet to mine the full potential of the approach and the formation of Ibilta – which will host its first online conference on block teaching in February – was a chance to bring people together to share ideas and experiences.
