University Showcases Block Teaching Success at International Event

The University of Suffolk has showcased its success in an innovative teaching format on the global stage.

The University’s Block and Blend approach enables students to focus on one module at a time with assessments carried out at the end of the module before moving on to the next one, rather than a semester-driven approach of studying three modules at the same time across a whole term.

The format also features a blend of in-person teaching with strategic online resources to provide greater flexibility to students – particularly for those with jobs, parenting or caring commitments.

The University is one of a number in the UK and internationally to use a block teaching approach. Last week, experts at the University presented their research on the format to the International Block and Intensive Learning and Teaching Association (IBILTA) Research Conference, held at Victoria University in Melbourne.

Director of Learning and Teaching, Dr Ellen Buck, and Jo Divers, Associate Dean for Learning, Teaching and Student Experience in the University of Suffolk’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health presented the University’s findings on utilising block teaching, lessons learned during the implementation and the new academic framework.

In addition, Dr Buck opened the conference in her capacity as IBILTA’s President, as well as taking part in a panel discussion with members of De Montfort University, Victoria University and Southern Cross University on building universities better.

Dr Buck said: “The International Block and Intensive Learning and Teaching Association Research Conference is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work the University of Suffolk has done in Block and Blend teaching on a global stage, alongside other organisations who have pioneered this approach.

“Block and Blend is a real success story for how our students learn, and we know from their feedback that it really helps students focus their learning and spread the assessments through the year.”
 
The University piloted Block and Blend during the Covid-19 pandemic and has been rolled out across the University since then.

Dr Buck said that the University had ensured it did not “lift, shift and squish” the content from the 12-week semester-based modules into the Block structure, which typically features blocks lasting four or five weeks. Instead, the structure, alignment and expectations on the courses had been reviewed to ensure a smooth transition.

The University of Suffolk’s research on the Block and Blend teaching format has reported students feeling that it had improved relationships with peers because it enabled them to have more of a dialogue in the classroom, and increased retention of students on the courses – particularly for those with declared disabilities.

The retention rate for students at the University is 95.1 per cent. Meanwhile, National Student Survey 2024 data published in July reported an 87 per cent satisfaction response for teaching for those studying in block – two per cent more than the 85 per cent national average.

To find out more about the University’s Block and Blend teaching, visit the website here.