The University of the West Indies (UWI) is challenged to provide academic programmes designed to meet a range of needs and a variety of individuals. Its students enter the University particularly the world of teaching), become resident or commuting students, and find themselves together in large classrooms with a possible range of 17 to 60 years.

The majority of faculty members of the University, although well qualified in their chosen disciplines, come to university teaching with very little preparation to facilitate learning by this diverse student body. In response to this lack, the students are often very critical of the teaching they encounter. The UWI is therefore challenged to meet the demands of providing academic programmes in this context.with diverse entry qualifications, experiences from home, school and the working world.