evaluation and revalidation 2014/15 catherine avery academic office briefing seminar 1 october 2014
TRANSCRIPT
Programme Approval/Re-approval Purpose Revalidation Units and Cycle Evaluation/Revalidation process Curriculum Management System (CMS) Panel composition Panel Papers Validation Meeting Documentation Issues raised by Panels (2013/14) Issues raised by students (2013/14) Key issues for consideration
PurposeEVALUATION:
accords with the University’s purpose and core strategic aims; academic structure and content appropriate; accords with the University’s scheme of qualifications; modular structure; credit framework and general
regulations for the award; standard and student workload comparable to those of other programmes nationally; resources sufficient to meet aims and objectives; evidence of reasonable employment and progression opportunities.
REVALIDATION:
• re-affirmation of standards• currency of curriculum• continuing relevance to University’s Strategic Aims
Revalidation Units and Cycle Subject units Groupings of cognate programmes Reflect discipline and/or campus, level (UG/PG) Revalidation course listing
Cycle Five year cycle Monthly schedule of revalidation events
Revalidation Process
CA6 Faculty Revalidation Unit Coordinator
Document prepared
Revalidation CASC LTC meeting Faculty response
Curriculum Management System (CMS) https://curriculum.ulster.ac.uk
New system to support production and approval of curriculum documentation for internal University courses (Phase 1)
Resource for:Modules – creation and revisionProgramme SpecificationCourses/Subjects – preparation of validation documentationApproval processes – course revisions, course withdrawals, validation documents, credit-bearing short course modules
Key Benefits
Online documentation and approval process Automatic creation of PDFs of programme specifications and
module descriptions Facility to obtain feedback from colleagues on draft versions Facility to update reading lists and teaching teams Online accessible, single repository of full module and course
information Information can be used for other curriculum-related documents HEAR - programme-level learning outcomes KIS – teaching, learning and assessment methods
Panel Composition Chair
Dean (or nominee) (collaborative provision only)
One internal member
One student representative (revalidation only)
Two external members (subject experts)
Industry/employer representative
PSRB representatives (joint events only)
In Attendance: Secretary (Academic Office)
Subject Partnership Manager (collaborative provision)
Papers for the Meeting
Guidelines for panels
Agenda and programme
Subject benchmark and PSRB standards
External examiner reports (revalidation only)
Course/subject document
Preliminary comments - CA7 (panel members)
CA4 form (completed by Subject Partnership Manager)
Central Department Reports: Library, IT, ADDL
Validation Meeting
Introductions and tour of facilities• specialist teaching facilities
Private Panel Meeting• to plan the conduct of the meeting • to exchange views on the provision
Meeting with Senior Management Team• to discuss higher level strategic issues
Meeting contd.
Meeting with Students• to explore students’ views (revalidation only)
Meeting with Course Team• to discuss the provision in detail
Private Panel session• to reach a decision on approval
Meeting with Senior Management Team
• to feedback conclusions and recommendations
Documenthttp://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Course%20Eval-Sub%20Reval%20Doc.doc
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/AIDE%20MEMOIRE.pdf
Section A: Introduction
Brief summary of rationale, origins, demand, relationship other courses in School/Faculty/subject
Projected intakes for next 5 years Section B: Course/Subject Provision
B1 Programme Specification(s) (template available)http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/ProgrammeSpecification.doc
B2 Commentaries:
• Recent and proposed changes • Academic progression, internal coherence, choice • Structure diagram• Transfer to and from course, progression• Work-based learning/placement/study abroad• Learning, teaching and assessmenthttp://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Exemplar%20Assessment%20Schedule.docx
• Research/scholarship-informed curriculum and teaching• Creativity, innovation and good practice• Standards• Relations with PSRBs• Employability
B3 – Regulations (Award templates on AO website)
B4 - Module Descriptions (template)
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/MODULE%20DESC%20TEMPLATE.DOC
Section C: Resources
C1 - Physical resources
C2 - Staff resources
Examples of Issues Raised by Panels in 2013/14
Recruitment and Admission: projected enrolments, modes, entry requirements, application of APEL policy
Content and Standards: title of programme/modules, course structure, full-time/part-time, exit awards; graduate qualities; regulations; learning outcomes; research methods; study skills, work-based learning, articulation arrangements
Learning and Teaching: fully online, contact hours, engagement with ADDL, BBL, new technologies, research/scholarship-informed teaching, placement
Assessment and Feedback: Principles of Assessment and Feedback for Learning, assessment strategy, schedule, group work/individual marks, assessment criteria, formative/summative feedback
Cont.
Support for Students: induction, international students, cohort identity, employment opportunities guidance
Resources and Staff Development: library resources, IT software, outcentres, cohort size by site (partner institutions), links with employers and subject ‘peers’, recognised teachers, identification of staff development needs
Examples of Issues Raised by Students in 2013/14
Content: work experience, options, ‘challenge’ at PG level
Organisation and Delivery: supervisors, time-tabling, cohort identity, BBL, fully online delivery, access to support
Assessment and Feedback: ‘bunching’ of assignments, group work (too much, composition of groups, practical difficulties, assessment criteria, group and individual marks), nature, timing and quality of feedback, use of Pass/Fail grading
Resources: studio space, refreshment facilities and communal area, printing, short-term loan materials
KEY ISSUES
Changes to new proposals from that approved by APSC e.g. title, duration, mode, location
Exit awards Graduate Qualities Internationalisation of the curriculum Study Skills Principles of Assessment and Feedback for Learning Group work policy Course exemplar assessment schedule Employability Research and/or scholarship-informed teaching
PLACEMENT - DPP/DPP(I)
Customised learning outcomes Placement Assessment of Placement (two models) Award grading
RESEARCH PROJECT
All undergraduate and integrated Master’s degrees
Academic Office Website: http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice
- Assessment Handbook- Committees - Course and Subject Management- Curriculum Management System- Documents and forms- External Examiners- Learning and Teaching Strategy- Partner Institutions- Policies (A-Z)- Programme Approval & Revision- Regulations templates- Regulatory Framework- Staff- Standards