Title
The sudoku effect [electronic resource] : universities in the vicious circle of bureaucracy / Stefan Kuhl ; translation by Tino Brömme, Harriet Bailey, Annika Henderson, Lesley Warren.
ISBN
9783319040868
3319040863
9783319040875 electronic book
3319040871 electronic book
Published
Cham ; New York : Springer, [2014]
Copyright
©2014
Language
English
Description
1 online resource.
Other Standard Identifiers
10.1007/978-3-319-04087-5 doi
Call Number
LA628
Dewey Decimal Classification
378.16
Summary
This book shows that the introduction of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) of credit points as a new accounting unit at universities has led to increased bureaucracy and the schoolmaster-style regimentation of Bachelors and Masters courses. It explains how, due to the pressure of having to plan every single working hour of studying in advance, a Sudoku Effect is created by the necessity to combine courses, exams and modules in such a way that the points add up. An unintentional side effect of the introduction of the ECTS, the Sudoku Effect has led to more classroom style teaching, an inflation of exams and fewer choices available to students. It has resulted in such complex and contradictory guidelines for the planning of the curriculum that the values attributed to the higher education reform can often only be realised if the rules for Bachelors and Masters programmes are ignored, or at least stretched, in practice. The book describes how the reaction to this situation is the continuous further refinement of the complicated rules rather than their abolishment.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references.
Access Note
Access limited to authorized users.
Source of Description
Description based on print version record.
Series
SpringerBriefs in education.
1. Higher Education Reform and the Resultant increased Complexity An introduction
2. Small Points, Great Effects On the Introduction of a New Artificial Currency
3. The Sudoku Effect On Degree Arithmetic
4. Unwilling Recipients of Spoon-feeding The Unwanted Side Effects of University Reform
5. Escape into Control Deviation
6. The Bureaucratic Vicious Circle The Intensification of the Sudoku Effect through Permanent Reforms
7. The Fruitless Search for the Guilty The Reasons why Nobody has to feel Responsible for the Effects of the Bologna Reform
8. What to do? Dealing with the Side Effects of the Bologna Reform.
