1. Modular Education: an examination of Operations Management teaching in the United
Kingdom
Des Doran and Dilek Onkal
Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK
Abstract
Purpose – This paper seeks to explore the application of modular practices and principles
within the Education sector with specific reference to the delivery of Operations
Management modules
Design/methodology/approach – An electronic survey of all Universities listed on the
Universities UK website was conducted in July 2010. The survey was designed to determine
the degree of modularity on both Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes by
exploring areas of commonality and divergence between module Aims, Learning Outcomes,
Assessment strategy, Syllabus content, Indicative reading and Teaching strategies
Findings – There is evidence of the application and understanding of modular principles and
practices within the education sector. This was particularly evident in terms of the content
of a “module descriptor” with commonality of approach and content most evident within
teaching content, module aims, desired learning outcomes and assessment strategy. There
was evidence of module divergence between the constituent countries within the UK,
particularly in Scotland and Wales where module divergence was evident within content,
delivery and module assessment
Practical implications – The paper provides a template for Operations Management
modules which can be used to inform the delivery, content, structure and assessment
strategy for those involved in the provision of Operations teaching within the UK and can be
used to benchmark current provision.
Originality/value – This is the first paper to explicitly investigate the application of modular
principles and practices within the context of Operations Management teaching within UK
Universities and as such provides useful insights for those involved in developing modules in
the Operations arena and for those involved in exploring modularity within the Education
sector
Keywords – Operations Management, Modularity, Education
Paper type – Research paper