Introduction to sparqs

Hannah Clarkesparqs Development Advisor

Heeding the Student Voice at universitiesFriday 15th May 2015

@sparqs_scotland

Background to sparqs

• Student Participation (Partnerships) in Quality Scotland

• Funded by the Scottish Funding Council since 2003• Take direction from a Steering Committee, which

includes representation from sector agencies plus student membership from National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland and the university and college sectors

@sparqs_scotland

Our Vision

Students making a positive and rewarding difference to their own and others’ educational experience, helping shape the nature of learning and contributing to the overall success of Scotland’s universities and colleges.

@sparqs_scotland

Strategic Aims

– Supporting students to engage in enhancing their education

– Supporting institutions and students’ associations to have effective student engagement mechanisms and practices

– Supporting student engagement in national policy– Supporting the development of a culture of student

engagement across Scotland

A Student Engagement Framework for Scotland

There are six features of effective student engagement:1. A culture of engagement.2. Students as partners.3. Responding to diversity.4. Valuing the student contribution.5. Focus on enhancement and change.6. Appropriate resources and support.

A Student Engagement Framework for Scotland

There are six features of effective student engagement:1. A culture of engagement.2. Students as partners.3. Responding to diversity.4. Valuing the student contribution.5. Focus on enhancement and change.6. Appropriate resources and support.

@sparqs_scotland

Scottish Student Engagement Framework – key principles

Student engagement is a vehicle for change:

• In the students themselves

• In the student experience

• In the institutions

• Across the Scottish Higher Education sector

@sparqs_scotland

Building Blocks for Student Involvement in Quality Assurance and Enhancement

Equal access to evaluative and management information

Informed voice

Feedback mechanis

ms

External monitoring

Effective representati

ve structures

Training and

support

Joint commitment and understanding

Recognition and

rewardOpportunities to

participate in review

Opportunities to participate in

decision making

Development and

sharing of practice

@sparqs_scotland

Why is student engagement important?

Studentviews

Dialogue with staff

Improved learning experienc

e

Students are experts

in their learning

@sparqs_scotland

Ladder of participation (Arnstein, 1969)

@sparqs_scotland

actor

expert

partner

information

provider

a completer of surveys

collector & analyst of feedback

recognised as experts in

learning

authentic & constructive dialogue

@sparqs_scotland

Solutions to increase Student Engagement

• Closing the feedback loop• Students need to know they are having an impact• Keep in mind that it is all about change • Not enough support and too many

meetings/admin tasks

@sparqs_scotland

Resources and further information

www.sparqs.ac.uk

https://twitter.com/sparqs_scotland

http://www.sparqs.ac.uk/upfiles/SEFScotland.pdf

Email: Hannah.Clarke@sparqs.ac.uk

@sparqs_scotland

The Student Learning Experience