Modes of Delivery

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It was felt that the traditional delivery mode where units were presented over 42 contact hours in a 14 week semester at the QUT campus in Brisbane would not be practicable. Potential participants in the units were located throughout Australia and overseas and most engineers needing training were working in organisations in which engineering numbers were low and generally they could not be released from their workplace for long periods of training. The solution developed by QUT was to divide the courses into smaller units with 15 contact-hours. These units are available in the following modes:

Shortcourse mode

In this mode the 15 contact-hours are presented in a 2 1/2 day block course. Students interact with lecturers and fellow students from a range of enterprises throughout Australasia. Students may submit assignments up to two months after completion of the short-course unit. Shortcourse programs are conducted in Brisbane in June/July and November/December - students can select from 10-12 units in each program.

Additional units will be conducted throughout Semester 1 and Semester 2. Where students have indicated a prior interest in studying a particular unit their names will be recorded on a "Potential List" and they will be advised if any nominated unit is to be presented outside the normal shortcourse programs.

Shortcourses are also conducted on contract for interstate and/or overseas corporations - contract quotes available on application (contact Course Coordinator or Course Administration Officer).

Distance Education Mode (also know as resource-based learning RBL)

Students receive a learning guide and all materials needed for the unit such as course notes, texts and reference materials and all non-standard software. They are able to study at their own pace and have access to advice from tutors through phone, fax or e-mail. Even students residing in Brisbane find it convenient to study by distance education rather than attend 2 1/2 day block course units.

This mode of study is also known as resource-based learning (RBL). Electricity authorities see other cost advantages in the distance education mode of presentation - apart from the obvious one of providing access to industry-specific training for geographically remote personnel.