Increasing Teaching and Learning Effectiveness at The University of the

West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, In an Era of Change and Reform

Charlene M. L. Roach & Gloria Davis-Cooper

34th Teaching Public Administration Conference 2011Panel 10 ---Democratic Learning Experiences

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) identified in its Strategic Plan – Vision 2020, education, as one of its foundation pillars on which the nation would be transformed into developed country status by the year 2020.

In its 2007 to 2012 Strategic Plan The UWI St Augustine Campus allocated financial resources for improving the delivery of its teaching and learning strategy to its students.

Some of the components include – supporting student centerdness and learning, reforming curricula to broaden students’ experiences, promoting and enhancing faculty excellence in teaching; increasing learning effectiveness and improving the learning environment.

Presentation Highlights

This presentation presents an analysis & discussion of The UWI St. Augustine Campus teaching and learning strategy – based on its most recent self study report 2010 completed as part of an institutional accreditation process recommended by the TT Government.

The themes highlighted in this presentation support a people-centered approach and engagement based on TT’s Government’s Vision 2020 Plan.

By so doing, The UWI St. Augustine Campus embraces an approach to governance that is responsive to stakeholders (internally and externally of this institution from various sectors) and the voice of the people.

This process will help to strengthen efforts to improve its teaching and learning effectiveness and to deliver programs that can equip students with employable and other skills for the workplace, the nation of TT, the Caribbean region, the international world and beyond.

Presentation Highlights

“By the year 2020, TT will be a united, resilient, productive, innovative & prosperous nation with a disciplined, caring, fun-loving society comprising healthy, happy & well-educated people & built on the enduring attributes of self-reliance, respect, tolerance, equity & integrity…in which…every citizen has equal opportunities to achieve his/her fullest potential…all citizens enjoy a high quality of life…”

Trinidad & Tobago’s (TT’s) Government’s VISION 2020 Plan

“…All citizens are assured of a sound, relevant education system tailored to meet the human resource needs of a modern, progressive, technologically advancing nation…Optimum use is made of all the resources of the nation…There is respect for the rule of law & human rights & the promotion of the principles of democracy…The diversity & creativity of all its people are valued & nurtured…”

Trinidad & Tobago’s Government’s VISION 2020 Plan

Developing Innovative People

Nurturing a Caring Society

Enabling Competitive

Business

Investing in Sound Infrastructure and

Environment

Promoting Effective Government

VISION 2020Five Development Pillars

VISION 2020

UWI Strategic Plan 2007-2012

Teaching & Learning Strategic Core Values---One of the Outcomes… Creating The UWI Distinguished Graduate Student( s)

Strategic Process of Ushering New Changes in Teaching & Learning Approaches & Experiences of Students

The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Teaching & Learning Strategic Core Values

Maintaining a commitment to the pursuit of excellence

Assisting students to develop a capacity for independent thought and critical analysis

Stimulating self-awareness and social awareness

Nurturing a keen sense of individual and social responsibility

Building respect for cultural diversity and the rule of law

Promoting Caribbean identity and sovereignty, together with the development and protection of nationhood

Cultivating multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration and involving alumni in this process as experts/guest speakers

Preserving a climate of intellectual freedom

The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Teaching & Learning Strategic Core Values

Engendering in students a commitment to personal growth

Fostering ethical values, attitudes and approaches

Encouraging community service and involvement and

Dedication to development of the region

The UWI St. Augustine Strategic Aim for Its Distinguished Graduate identified in the Plan

A critical & creative thinker

A problem solver An effective

communicator Knowledgeable &

informed Competent A leader A team player

IT skilled and information literate

Socially & culturally responsive

Ethical Innovative &

entrepreneurial A lifelong learner Self-motivated

Embracing the Vision & Strategic Core Values to

Increase Teaching & Learning Effectiveness

Themes Highlighted from The 2010 Self Study Report of an Institutional

Accreditation

Themes Highlighted Developing &

Promoting Teaching Excellence

Evaluating Teaching Effectiveness

Teaching & Learning Strategies

Student Centerdness

Tutoring & consultation

Promoting student-faculty relationships

Themes Highlighted Addressing learning gaps

Expanding learning experiences-e.g. world of work, minding SPEC, leadership & service, work place protocol

Using Technology to enhance teaching & learning

Assessing learning outcomes

Monitoring & evaluating student learning

Providing facilities for students with special needs

Creating an effective learning environment

Democratic Tools to Empower Students’ Active Participation in their Learning Experiences Use of staff/student

liaison committees

Face-to-face students’ consultation

Online students’ consultation

Tutorials

Students’ class participation

myeLearning course management system

Group projects, interim reports & discussions

Student-led presentations, seminars & mini-teaching sessions

Future Possibilities… The UWI St. Augustine Campus makes a BOLD

STRIDE Towards Excellence Through Continuous Improvement in their Teaching and Learning Strategies