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Programs >Programs by Community-Based Learning (CBL) (projects)

Programs by Community-Based Learning (CBL) (projects)


Degrees by Distance Learning (Projects)
The University's programs via distance learning require no classroom attendance, although where campus-based study takes place at other institutions, it can be integrated for academic credit.

Programs by Community-Based Learning (CBL) (projects)
"A...major illusion on which the school system rests is that most learning is the result of teaching. Teaching, it is true, may contribute to certain kinds of learning under certain circumstances. But most people acquire most of their knowledge outside school, and in school only insofar as school, in a few rich countries, has become their place of confinement during an increasing part of their lives."
Ivan Illich, "Deschooling Society"

Community-based learning (CBL) is, strictly speaking, not distance learning at all because it is in fact based on the learner's own community resources and independent study. The student will independently contract with learning resources available to them according to their own interests and the program of study they design with the approval of the University. Some of these resources may include seminars, individuals of expertise in professional or other contexts, adult and continuing education programs, programs offered at other universities and public libraries. This enables a self-designed program that can be totally customised to the experiences a student wishes to include.

As a part of such a program, the student may elect to integrate coursework from any of the various open-source providers of online courseware currently available. A partial listing of these is given in our Virtual Library along with many other online resources that can be used to accumulate credit.

Community-based programs generally proceed via learning contract in a series of written projects or where other work in permanent format is produced. The student will be assigned a Mentor by the University. This person will not necessarily be a subject specialist, since their role will not be to offer instruction, but they will be able to advise the student on the expected standard of their work and to offer guidance in ascertaining how best the student's aims can be realized.

It must, however, be emphasized that this option is for the motivated, self-reliant student with clear ideas of what they intend to achieve and how they might create an assessable path to that achievement. It is not suitable for the student who needs substantial support or who prefers a "spoon-feeding" instructional style.

In the UK, the National Council for Vocational Qualifications has said (UPDATE, No. 1, 1989),

"... assessment which is only available to those enrolled on a course severely restricts the variety of methods of learning which may be used. We must therefore seek to separate assessment from courses or programs of learning. If we can do this, it will mean that any means of learning - by course, employment, open or distance-learning, private study etc - can be used to gain the competence needed for an award. It would greatly increase flexibility if assessment could also be offered to all who are ready for it; in other words, we should seek to provide assessment on demand."

Learn more
>>Model frameworks for CBL project-based degrees
>>Virtual Library - containing many online resources
>>Your Degree Plan
>>The Role of Student-Contracted Community Resources
>>Student's Guide
>>Towards Graduation
>>Tuition
>>Application