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Abstract

Although UK polytechnic higher education has been defined in terms of the application of multidisciplinary knowledge to the solution of practical problems, and to performance in the world of work, very little has been done to provide a theoretical framework or a properly researched model to help make the educational process effective in its delivery of the agreed philosophy and its objectives. This article proposes a research-based underpinning, centred on the concept of ‘competence', to help ensure that polytechnic HE actually delivers its declared objectives. Patrick Coldstream, Director of the Council for Industry and Higher Education, adds a supporting postscript to this article, encouraging the work of those like Laing Barden who are trying to develop a language of objective setting.

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References

Nuttgens

Patrick

, What Should We Teach and How Should We Teach It?: Aims and Purpose of Higher Education, Wildwood House, UK, 1988.

Smith

Sir Alex

, ‘Many arts, many skills: the polytechnic policy and requirements for its fulfillment'. Statement by the Committee of Directors of Polytechnics, London, 1974.

Barden

Laing

, “Transferable personal skills and value added outcome assessment”, Committee of Directors of Polytechnics, London, 1987.

Peters

Thomas J.

and Waterman

Robert H.

, In Search of Excellence: Letters from America's Best Companies, Hoover and Raw, New York and London, 1982.