A Local University Is Considering Changes to Its Class Structure

question 119

Essay

A local university is considering changes to its class structure in an effort to increase professor productivity. The old schedule had each professor teaching 5 classes per week, with each class meeting an hour per day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each class contained 20 students. The new schedule has each professor teaching only 3 classes, but each class meets daily for an hour. New classes contain 50 students.
a. Calculate the labor productivity for the initial situation (students/hour).
b. Calculate the labor productivity for the schedule change (students/hour).
c. Are there any ethical considerations that should be accounted for?
d. Suppose that each teacher also is required to have 2 hours of Office Hours each day he/she taught class. Is the schedule change a productivity increase?

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Definitions:

Leadership Equation

A conceptual formula that attempts to quantify or summarize the key factors or elements that make effective leadership.

Initiate Relationships

The process of starting connections or interactions between individuals or groups in a social or professional context.

Coercion

A method of achieving compliance through threats or force, often without regard for others' desires.

Working with Followers

The practice of engaging and collaborating with team members or subordinates in a way that respects their input and fosters a cooperative working environment.