Block mode delivery in an andragogic environment: challenges and strategies

Block mode of delivery, a distinct form of accelerated/intensive course offering, has witnessed significant growth in recent years in higher education. However, despite the increase in popularity, academic enquiry into block mode delivery has been scarce. This formed the motivation of this study where a comprehensive understanding on the challenges and strategies for improving block mode teaching is developed based on multiple interviews with academics involved in block mode delivery in the UAE. The study found ten key challenges impacting block mode delivery and nine strategies to minimise/eliminate these challenges. The findings are expected to provide academics, policymakers and institutions in the UAE higher education sector, and in general, key insights into the effective design, delivery, and management of courses in block mode. An investigation on block-mode teaching in the UAE higher education has not been previously attempted and constitutes the novelty of this work.