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Investigating Block Teaching at Hasselt University: Benefits and Challenges for Disadvantaged Students

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Title: Investigating Block Teaching at Hasselt University: Benefits and Challenges for Disadvantaged Students
Language: English
Authors: Maristela do Nascimento Rocha (ORCID 0000-0002-9283-6889), Sascha Spikic (ORCID 0000-0001-7677-262X), Elke Emmers (ORCID 0000-0001-6419-7429), Katrien Struyven (ORCID 0000-0002-6562-2172)
Source: Journal of Further and Higher Education. 2025 49(6):735-748.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Higher Education, Disadvantaged, Foreign Countries, Universities, Student Attitudes, Block Scheduling, Student Centered Learning, College Students, Models, Student Experience, Barriers
Geographic Terms: Belgium
DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2492177
ISSN: 0309-877X
1469-9486
Abstract: Evidence suggests that a block model curriculum in higher education can support learning for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, previous research, predominantly quantitative, has not specified how this contribution happens and suggests that the improvement in learning could also be attributed to the simultaneous implementation of student-centred pedagogy. This paper aims to address this gap by investigating at a deeper level the specific circumstances under which block teaching can offer advantages and limitations for disadvantaged students. We conducted seventeen in-depth interviews with students from Hasselt University and analysed their narratives using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Our findings support previous quantitative studies indicating that the block model can indeed enhance opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The fast feedback enables students to adjust their study methods early on, the structured schedule facilitates the development of time management and academic skills, and the decreased workload during exams gives students time to address educational gaps. However, disadvantaged participants state that it is important to consider increases in stress levels due to inadequate curriculum design, lack of inclusive feedback mechanisms, and insufficient rest time between blocks. Moreover, findings suggest that the block model may be especially beneficial for supporting disadvantaged students in the first year. This study provides insights that contribute to the development of more inclusive curricula and enhanced student support by highlighting specific mechanisms through which the block model can influence learning experiences.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502316
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Investigating Block Teaching at Hasselt University: Benefits and Challenges for Disadvantaged Students
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maristela+do+Nascimento+Rocha%22">Maristela do Nascimento Rocha</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9283-6889">0000-0002-9283-6889</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sascha+Spikic%22">Sascha Spikic</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7677-262X">0000-0001-7677-262X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Elke+Emmers%22">Elke Emmers</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6419-7429">0000-0001-6419-7429</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Katrien+Struyven%22">Katrien Struyven</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6562-2172">0000-0002-6562-2172</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Further+and+Higher+Education%22"><i>Journal of Further and Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 49(6):735-748.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2492177
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  Data: 0309-877X<br />1469-9486
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  Data: Evidence suggests that a block model curriculum in higher education can support learning for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, previous research, predominantly quantitative, has not specified how this contribution happens and suggests that the improvement in learning could also be attributed to the simultaneous implementation of student-centred pedagogy. This paper aims to address this gap by investigating at a deeper level the specific circumstances under which block teaching can offer advantages and limitations for disadvantaged students. We conducted seventeen in-depth interviews with students from Hasselt University and analysed their narratives using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Our findings support previous quantitative studies indicating that the block model can indeed enhance opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The fast feedback enables students to adjust their study methods early on, the structured schedule facilitates the development of time management and academic skills, and the decreased workload during exams gives students time to address educational gaps. However, disadvantaged participants state that it is important to consider increases in stress levels due to inadequate curriculum design, lack of inclusive feedback mechanisms, and insufficient rest time between blocks. Moreover, findings suggest that the block model may be especially beneficial for supporting disadvantaged students in the first year. This study provides insights that contribute to the development of more inclusive curricula and enhanced student support by highlighting specific mechanisms through which the block model can influence learning experiences.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1502316
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        Value: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2492177
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 735
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      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Disadvantaged
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Universities
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Block Scheduling
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      – SubjectFull: Student Centered Learning
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Models
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      – SubjectFull: Student Experience
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Belgium
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      – TitleFull: Investigating Block Teaching at Hasselt University: Benefits and Challenges for Disadvantaged Students
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