Innovation in education

So much in the modern world changes so quickly, particularly as new technology and the internet become so much a part of life.

Transformation takes place in the what, the where, the when and the how. Former institutions and businesses fade and new ones take their place. Attitudes alter and society changes. Sometimes this is for the good; sometimes it is not.

Where possible, we have to try to maintain the best of what we have while being prepared to move with the times where appropriate.

Unfortunately, though, worthwhile change is often too difficult to achieve. Individuals, vested-interest groups and even the machinery of Government and the effect of various laws can block beneficial change. Many wonder: how much easier, and how much safer, to stay with current ways of doing things?

Why change something that already works?

Why change for change's sake?

Nevertheless, innovation can be required, and not just in business. In this context, the Otago Polytechnic's initiative to explore the possibility of a "trimester" year is positive.

Chief executive Phil Ker knows that to stand still is, in fact, to go backwards. He is prepared to investigate seriously an innovative way of organising the academic year. Although the obstacles might be too great, it would be a shame if opponents and the wider system prevented fair and proper consideration of the plan.

What is envisaged is dividing the year into three teaching blocks instead of two. Each would be 14 weeks instead of the present full year of 32 weeks (16 weeks a semester) and the summer break would shrink. Students could study for one, two or three trimesters a year.

It is envisaged teachers would use one trimester a year for research, special projects or sabbaticals. Providing the logistics can be satisfactorily sorted, students choosing to pack in three trimesters a year would be able to finish courses and degrees in a shorter span; for example a four-year degree in three years.

Over two trimesters, what was a full-year course could be over in eight months, putting Otago graduates in the job market ahead of others, at least until other institutions did likewise.

Then there are attractions to overseas students who are likely to be more conscious of time and money.

Meanwhile, savings would be immediate and extensive in living costs and student loans for both domestic students and the Government. And buildings and resources would be used more efficiently. Given the acute imperative for increased New Zealand competitiveness and tight national budgets, the strive for more efficiency everywhere, including education, is essential.

There are, of course, several counter arguments. The transition would be messy, the advantages of rough alignment with the university would be lost and the cut in actual lecture time could be significant. For many young people, the period of tertiary education, too, is about far more than just the courses. It is a time of growing up and learning in broader senses.

It is a time also when learning can be savoured and when there might need to be extra time to get the hang of tertiary learning rather than it whizzing past.

Trimesters are more than just a summer school option, and they have been tried across the United States. Deakin University in Geelong, near Melbourne, also operates this way, with trimester 1 beginning on March 9 and trimester 3 running from November 15 to February 25. Touted are the flexibility and the possibility of fast-tracking study, with it being claimed the system offers staff more adaptability in their teaching loads.

From a parochial Dunedin point of view, trimesters could on the one hand prove more popular and attract more students to the city. On the other, students could spend less time in Dunedin, reducing their beneficial impact.

Whatever the pros and cons that, no doubt, will be considered this year by the polytechnic's working party on this matter, the idea should be given a fair hearing by all affected parties. Should the idea have sufficient merit it should proceed, despite the obstacles that will inevitably be put in its way.

 

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