Future arrangements for external examining and related developments
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Future arrangements for external examining and related developments Dr Tim Burton Assistant Director, Development and Enhancement Group 24 January 2011
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Future arrangements for external examining and related developments. Dr Tim Burton Assistant Director, Development and Enhancement Group 24 January 2011. Overview. External examining. Academic infrastructure. Institutional audit. Public information. External examining. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Future arrangements for external examining and related developments
Future arrangements for external examining and related
developments
Dr Tim BurtonAssistant Director,
Development and Enhancement Group24 January 2011
Overview
External examining
Academic infrastructure
Institutional audit
Public information
External examining
Academic infrastructure
Institutional audit
Public information
Origins of the review
QAA Thematic enquiries (Apr 2009)
UUK Announcement (Sep 09)
TQSE Report (recom 5) (Oct 09)
Review Group/Expert Group
UUK/GHE/QAA discussion paper
Responses considered by Review Group
Final consideration by UUK/GHE Boards
Review process
QAA detailed work on the role
Revision of Section 4 of the Code
Inclusion as part of new Academic Infrastructure
Single reference point for external examining
What happens next ...
•Clarity, inc. limits of role•Responsibility of the HEI•‘Judgement’ versus ‘advice’
Role•National criteria•Competence/experience•Familiarity with standards•Expertise in enhancement
Selection
•Importance of/mentoring for first time appointees
•Format not prescribed/face to face/on-line
•Rejection of common template
Induction
Key themes
•Difficulties of more than a general principle
•Many externals already in senior roles•Already embedded for some institutions
Recognition•National template – core items•Rejection of student section•Make reports ‘available’ to students•Proposal for checklist•Details of EEs in course information
Reports
•Robust internal procedures•Confidential report to V-C•QAA Concerns scheme
Recourse
Key themes (2)
Other issues
Industry/professional externals
Role of national bodies
UK Professional Standards Framework
External examining
Academic infrastructure
Institutional audit
Public information
Evaluation: Feb-Aug 2010
Consultation on proposals: Dec-Mar 2011
Report on consultation: Summer 2011
Development of new Code: 2011-12
Implementation: 2012-13
The process
Evaluation findings
No appetite for major change
Better public communication
Sector ownership (autonomy)
Links between AI and audit/review
There was evidence to demonstrate that the Academic Infrastructure was well embedded in higher education providers' policies and procedures. Many of those who considered the Academic Infrastructure to be important recognised a value in seeing it as a whole framework that was somehow more than the sum of parts, but there was no single view of how each of the components necessarily related to each other (para 2.1.4).
Evaluation findings (2)
Evaluation findings (3)
More positive• Very positive impact on
UK HE• Created a consistent
approach and a common vocabulary
• Basis for comparing threshold standards
• No major omissions• Autonomy not threatened
Less positive• Scope to improve
individual elements• Clarify role relating to
other reference points and audit/review
• Hasn’t reached wider audience
• Largely ineffective in increasing public assurance about standards
•Part A: setting and maintaining threshold academic standards
•Part B: assurance and enhancement of academic quality
Single ‘Code’
•Threshold standards•Academic quality•EnhancementClearer definitions
•Code of practice?•Code?•Quality and/or enhancement?
New title
•Distinguish ‘mandatory’ elements from guidance
Format
Consultation
External examining
Academic infrastructure
Institutional audit
Public information
Quality Assurance System
HEFCE Commissioning letter
Operational Description
Implementation from Sep 2011
Institutional audit (review)
• Introduction of thematic element• Rolling process rather than fixed cycle• Public as principal audience for reports• No increased level of demand• Proportionality (smaller institutions)• Judgement on published information• Judgement terminology made easier to
understand
Audit: Main issues
• Integrated Quality Enhancement Review
• Current cycle ends July 2012• No funding for future Developmental
Engagements• Expectation of convergence with audit
method
IQER
External examining
Academic infrastructure
Institutional audit
Public information
Public information
HEFCE Consultation – ends 7 March 2011
Key information set and development of NSS
Student charters
The Higher Education Achievement Report
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Registered charity numbers 1062746 and SC037786
