As Timetabling Officer at Southampton Institute, I have been asked to
produce a Paper proposing a Block Timetabling approach which would begin in
Sept 1999. It is hoped that this will enable us to give earlier information
about times of units/modules to students by means of a Unit Catalogue
produced 9-12 months before the academic year begins.
Any advice would be very welcome!!
Only one of our 8 faculties uses such an approach at present. Would we do
best to introduce it by Levels/year groups, one at a time, or by faculties,
or a combination of these methods?
Is Block timetabling a good or a bad idea?
How do you feel about adverse comments from faculties, such as:
i.'Will lead to a course being spread over 5 days.'
ii. 'Restricts Option choices.'
iii. 'Restricts recruitment.'
iv. 'The imposition of a block is not the best allocation of staff to
students.'
v. 'As expected student numbers change, requirements for size of
lecture theatres change. Therefore a new lecture room is needed, which is
only available at a different time ... one timetable change has a domino
effect because of the staff involved.'
vi. 'Difficulties with FT/PT student combinations.'
I'll be interested to read any replies, especially as this is my first
message to Mailbase!
Mike Foster
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