The characteristics, motivations and experience of adults in non-credit undergraduate education : A study of the audit scheme at the Australian National University

Abstract

This thesis represents a first step 1n the study of non-credit learning opportunities within undergraduate credit programmes. The aim of this study has been to explore the nature of the demand for such opportunities by focussing on the experience of the Audit scheme at the Australian National University. The Audit scheme was introduced in 1978 by the Australian National University's Centre for Continuing Education as a means of facilitating interaction between the University and the Canberra community. Essentially, the scheme invited members of the public, irrespective of their educational qualifications, to audit, or sit in on, undergraduate lectures in selected single units without having to' meet normal admission requirements or commit themselves to a degree load. The study is, therefore, a case study of an elite university (The Australian National University) taking a further small step towards opening its doors to the community. Four principal questions have been asked in this study . These were: 'What is the Audit scheme?', 'Who enrols in university courses as Audit students?', 'Why do they enrol?', and 'What has been their experience as non-credit students in university credit courses?'. The first of these questions is based on a discussion of the documentation surrounding the introduction of the scheme. The latter three questions (the characteristics, motivations, experience of Audit students) are investigated by means of an analysis of Audit student enrolment cards and, more importantly, a mail questionnaire which was administered to 69 ANU Audit students who enrolled in 1978 and 80 who enrolled in 1979. Response s were obtained from 45% of the 1978 population and 69% of the 1979 population. There seemed to be three basic types of people who enrolled in Audit courses at the University. These were: A woman who is under 30 years of age who is employed and has post-secondary qualifications (either a tertiary diploma or bachelor degree) . She is enrolled as an Audit student in an Arts course at the ANU and it is her first continuing education course. A woman of 50 years or more who is not in the workforce. She is likely to have either matriculated or completed a tertiary diploma. She is enrolled as an Audit student in an Arts course at the ANU and she has attended other continuing education classes prior to her enrolment in an Audit course. A man aged 25-34 years who is employed and has university qualifications. He is enrolled in a Law course at ANU as an Audit student which is his first continuing education course. Originally, it seemed to have been expected by those responsible for the development of the scheme, that potential Audit students would be mainly non-graduates who may have no other way of gaining access to university courses, and a small number of graduates and other professionals who might Wish to continue their education in a particular field in an informal way. Significantly, however, graduates and individuals from the higher status occupations appeared to be the main beneficiaries of the introduction of more flexible study arrangements at the ANU. The decision to participate in the Audit scheme seemed, ln most cases, to have been influenced by the fact that the scheme provided an opportunity to explore particular subjects at the undergraduate level without the pressures and formali ties associated with undergraduate study. . As one student wrote: We really just want to learn in a good academic atmosphere just as an undergraduate student would, but without the need for a degree in the end. Th~s, participation appeared to stem primarily from both an academic interest in a particular subject and a more general desire for intellectual stimulation or 'well-being'. A sizeable proportion of Audit students participated In their courses beyond the limit that was officially prescribed, attending tutorials, submitting work and, In some cases, sitting for examinations. Interestingly, those with higher levels of participation were more likely to complete their courses and factors related to students' experiences of particular courses or the scheme itself were most often cited as the reason for discontinuing attendance. The Audit scheme does not represent a large investment for the University. On the basis of 1981 figures, the programme costs the University, in advertising and administration, in the vicinity of "$4,000, of which only a portion is recovered from student fees. It is possible, however, that the University has not encouraged people to enrol in the scheme and that if more efforts were made to do so the scheme might become more self-financing. Accordingly, it is argued by this researcher that the University should consider making some adjustments to accommodate non-credit students if these are to be invited to participate in undergraduate classes. Adjustments in the area of library access and flexibility in the extent of participation permitted would seem to be two areas where changes would enable Audit students to follow their courses more effectively. In addition, closer liaison between Audit students, CCE staff and lecturers involved in the scheme may result in more positive attitudes towards non-credit students and an appreciation of some of the problems and needs of these students. Show more