Responding to diversification

Preparing naïve learners for university study using Time Budgets

Abstract

Government reforms have resulted in an increasing number of pathways and options for a broader cohort of students to undertake university-level study. These diverse learners need support to develop successful study orchestrations, balancing available time for learning with competing interests, such as family, leisure and employment. The Time Budget is a useful tool for naïve students to perceive course workload, understand expectations and balance their commitments. The Time Budget, in a single page, captures what students need to do, and when, to be successful in their studies. Time Budgets have proved to be a sustainable good practice initiative for undergraduate students – a tool that has made the transition from supporting face-to-face learners, to blended and fully-online learners; and from being a feature of individual courses, to whole programs and multi-university collaborations.