| Abstract: | Analysis of student performance in a Geography degree course over a ten year period, as part of a larger study of student performance in large classes, revealed a five year cycle of change in student performance and in the ability of the course to cope with large classes. The cycle exactly matched the introduction of new degree programmes with performance taking four years to recover to the levels eventually achieved with the previous course design. It is concluded that radical change in course design can initially reduce performance and that stability for several years may be necessary to achieve the potential of a new course. |
