MBT program delivery
The MBT program can be taken either via interactive online or face-to-face class mode. Face-to-face classes are held on campus once a week for 1.5 hours, online classes are accessed via the internet at any time and place that suits you. Whether your class is real or virtual, the emphasis will be on sharing knowledge and skills.
Online classes
The MBT enables learning interaction to occur at a distance via an intuitive, online communication tool: Blackboard. Online classes do not require facilitators and participants to be online at the same time. They are used asynchronously, enabling contributions to discussions to be read and responded to at a time of personal choice. Class facilitators manage the discussion and assess for participation.
Class size
For each course you undertake you will be allocated to a class with typically 25 to 28 co-participants and a class facilitator.
Your class facilitator will lead and guide interaction and participation in the online classroom environment.
Interactive learning areas
You can log into your online class at anytime during the week, day or night, to contribute to set learning activities. In an MBT online class there are four main locations:
- The notice board where facilitators post notices to the class
- The seminar room where facilitators conduct the formal teaching and learning activities in a class
- The coffee shop where informal discussions among members of the class take place
- The gallery where each member of the class can introduce themselves and upload a photo
Face to face classes
About 80% of MBT participants choose to study entirely via interactive online classes, however, MBT also offers face-to-face classes on campus at UNSW. Both class options are based on the same course materials, and your facilitator will expect that you have read the appropriate unit before taking part in your class.
Face-to-face classes are held on the UNSW Kensington Campus, scheduled on Monday-Thursday evenings. There is one class (of one and a half hours duration) per week per course. These classes are not lectures - they are small group tutorials led by an experienced Class Facilitator.
Due to lower demand, the most specialised MBT courses will only be available in distance mode, so we do recommend all participants include some distance courses into their program.
Course materials
MBT study guides are divided into 12 units, one per each teaching week, and include the core concepts, activities for reflection, set readings, reference lists of further readings and detailed information regarding assessment.
Study guides
The study guide is the starting point of your weekly studies. It is expected that all participants will have read the week’s unit prior to attending class or participating in online class discussion. Study guides are available in three different formats:
- Supplied free of charge on CD-ROM as a bookmarked and searchable pdf, which particularly assists those who travel frequently
- Online for free download as individual pdf files, from the UNSW Library MyCourse website
- For those who prefer a hardcopy, the printed study guide may be purchased from the UNSW Bookshop at cost price plus delivery
Other materials
Many courses also have prescribed textbooks which may be ordered online from the UNSW bookshop. All participants have access to the vast online resources of the UNSW library, and borrowing rights at your local academic library can usually be arranged.