Evaluation and Revalidation2014/15

Catherine AveryACADEMIC OFFICE

BRIEFING SEMINAR 1 OCTOBER 2014

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

ACADEMIC OFFICE CONTACTS

Alan Faulkner ext 24566

Catherine Avery ext 24294