URB@N Project: Evaluation of the barriers and opportunities for wastes management distance learning courses

The School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton has funding from URB@N for three projects. URB@N stands for ‘Undergraduate Research Bursaries at Northampton’. It is a bursary scheme offering opportunities for current undergraduate students to participate in a pedagogic research project taking place at the university. Details of one of these projects is included here.

Evaluation of the barriers and opportunities for wastes management distance learning courses

Staff Involved:

Terry Tudor

Paul Cox

Nigel Freestone

Louise Maxwell

Ruth Copeland-Phillips

Margaret Bates

Overview:

In recent years there has been increasing emphasis globally on managing the

environment, particularly wastes, in a more sustainable manner. Linked to

this has been a desire to increase the competencies and skills of individuals

in the field of environmental management and more specifically wastes

management. The Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences,

at the University currently offers a range of environmental management

courses, with a growing provision of distance learning. Indeed, within the

past few months, the Department has been approached by universities in

India, Kenya, Nigeria, Iraq and China, with requests for provision of waste

management course. However, it is not possible to deliver by traditional

classroom based methods in all interested institutions. The Wastes Team is

therefore looking at a range of alternative delivery methods including, but not

limited to, blended learning, flying faculty and distance learning. We wish to

undertake research into the perception and logistics of wastes management

course delivery by distance learning so that we can better meet the student

expectations and enhance their learning experiences. The project’s main

objectives are to:

Examine the key socio-economic, cultural and logistical factors that

might influence the successful uptake of alternative delivery methods in

waste management courses

Identify possible strategies to overcome these factors which would

facilitate an enhanced student experience.

For more information about this project go to Evaluation of the barriers and opportunities for wastes management distance learning courses

More details about URB@N can be found at: http://www.northampton.ac.uk/urban