Parallel teaching of postgraduate coursework students in undergraduate courses: an examination of student expectations, experiences, and views

Abstract

Postgraduate coursework students, in particular those in conversion programs, occasionally take courses that are in some way delivered in parallel with an associated undergraduate course. There are of course concerns about the impact of this practice of ‘parallel teaching’ on the quality of the student experience. A survey was conducted to explore the expectations, experience and views of postgraduate coursework students regarding parallel teaching in a particular context. The survey context was postgraduate coursework students enrolled in introductory level postgraduate courses taught in conjunction with large undergraduate economics course. The results are generally encouraging about the practice, but highlight some issues with which the students are concerned. Although responses are diverse, some trends include students desiring more differentiation of content rather than assessment, and students not expecting parallel teaching prior to course or degree commencement.