Abstract:
Changes instituted by Mr Dawkins have radically changed the structure and composition of tertiary education, so much so that both the previously constituted universities and CAEs are struggling to understand and adjust to the new requirements and expectations. Nevertheless, no matter how radical such changes may be considered, other changes, such as in the types of students now attending universities, are also having a profound influence on the process of professional education in Australia. Not only are there increased numbers of students, and therefore, larger classes, but also the composition of the students who attend those classes is radically different. Many such students now increasingly come from cross cultural and overseas backgrounds, speak other languages and have had different educational upbringings. This paper reports on a current DEET funded research project which investigates the nature of the reaction of academics to the increasing number of such cross cultural and overseas students attending their courses.