HYBRID COURSES A tic APPROACH Dr' David Gibson Course Director Computer Networks for Business, Softw

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HYBRID COURSES A tic APPROACHDr. David Gibson
Course Director Computer Networks for Business,
Software Design Networks, and Computing
Electronics (BSc)

• The tic
• Teaching and Learning
• Courses
• The Future

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Technology Innovation Centre

• Formerly Faculty of Engineering and Computer
  Technology UCE.
• Changed in January 2000
• Located at Millennium Point, Birmingham.
• Officially opened July 2002.
• Provides state-of-the-art teaching and research
  facilities
• Provides focal point for the regions industry
  and commerce.

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Teaching and learning - past ethos

• Traditionally focused on general engineering
  courses (BEng)
• Mechanical
• Manufacturing
• Electronic
• Also included HNC/D, CGLI, and IQA
• BSc(Hons) Industrial Information Technology
  (I2T)introduced in 1986.

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Courses profiles changes

• Decision taken to introduce new BSc technology
  courses integrating applied engineering in 1990s.
• Traditional BEng degrees remain.
• Entry requirements of Maths A level kept for
  BEng.
• BSc required lower level mathematics but 220
  points currently needed at A level or
  equivalent.
• Currently providers of Foundation HNC/D, BEng,
  BSc, MSc and PhD awards.

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Courses Hybrid structures?

• Technology course philosophy
• Computing
• Business
• Technology
• Thematic approach throughout degree
• Five themes, 3 major, 2 minor project
• Stage 1 separated from BEng modules
• Stage 2 combines some BEng modules

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Courses student choices

• Courses developed with industry to raise
  employability.
• CISCO participation.
• Open entry courses allows student entry without
  specific A levels.
• Part time available.
• Student intake applications and conversions
  supportive of tic programme initiatives.
• Many students enter jobs in chosen degree field.

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Courses programmes BSc(Hons)

• BSc(Hons) programmes include
• Computer Networks for Business
• Software Design for Networks
• Computing Electronics
• Multimedia Technology
• Television Technology Production
• Music Technology
• Computer Aided Design
• Electronic Commerce
• Engineering Product Design
• Internet Technology
• shares at least 6 modules stage 1

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Courses content intake issues

• Limited mathematics ability.
• Direct entry to 2nd year (22 programme) for
  overseas students with appropriate depth of
  knowledge.
• Language problems.
• Limited awareness of computing (software) and
  electronics expectations.
• Government initiatives, more students, lower
  ability?

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Courses support mechanisms and developments

• Pedagogy in HEFCE
• Poor skills base in several key areas
• LEARNING CENTRE
• Key skills support
• Library
• Language support

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Future Developments

• New courses being added to technology portfolio
• Sound and Multimedia Technology
• Games Technology
• Re-validation of all courses 2004.
• Continued development of popular courses?
• Increased learning centre approach
• Respond to rising cost implication?
• Foundation degrees?

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Hybrid Courses a tic approach

• Thank you for listening,
• David