Learning Hours

Learning Hours

NZQA defines Learning Hours as

All planned learning activities leading toward the achievement of programme or qualification learning outcomes

<https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/consultations-and-reviews/notional-learning-hours/>

Learning hours are important because:

·       They are the total time allocated for directed learning

·        They are the basis of our contract with students

·         NZQA approval of our programmes is based on the delivery of 10 notional* hours of learning per credit

·         TEC funding is based on the delivery of 10 notional hours of learning per credit (i.e., not just face to face time)

*notional = the expected amount of time the ‘average’ student would take to complete the learning activity

Learning hours signify directed learning. All learning in a course must be directed, though we often classify it as “directed” and “self-directed”. Even if we classify learning as “self-directed” (i.e., not in the classroom) we must still be able to provide, if requested, a breakdown of how the learning occurs in all parts of the course. The following table can be useful for this purpose:

Learning hours description Notional learning hours
Teaching

Including face-to-face classroom time, online, field trip, simulation time, tutorials, onsite assignments, assessments and examinations.

Work experience

Including time the student spends practicing or learning skills relevant to their study programme in a workplace. This includes a teaching workplace, which may be onsite, as long as it operates as a commercial enterprise.

Student preparation for, or follow up from, teaching or work experience.
Student preparation for/of Assessment 1

(the total amount of time you expect a student to spend on this assessment)

Student preparation for/of Assessment 2

(the total amount of time you expect a student to spend on this assessment)

Student preparation for/of Assessment 3

(the total amount of time you expect a student to spend on this assessment)

Student preparation for/of Assessment 4

(the total amount of time you expect a student to spend on this assessment)

Student preparation for/of Assessment 5

(the total amount of time you expect a student to spend on this assessment)

Other: (state)

If you have more than 5 assessments, please engage with Te Puna Ako to review the assessments for the course.

If you have queries about any of the above contact tkk@unitec.ac.nz.