Linqed educational network2008-2013

Pretoria, May 27, 2013Govert van Heusden (Linqed promoter at

ITM)Lai Jiang (Linqed coordinator)

Agenda

• Where we came from• Choices Pretoria workshop• Self-assessment of 6 years• Preliminary suggestions for 2014-2016

Main facts

• Origin: among institutional and strategic network partners (ITM-DGD FA3 2008-2013)

• Aim: networking for capacity strengthening in higher education

• Planning / monitoring: log frames developed (2008: for network, and in 2010 for 3 specific projects)

• Management: Linqed Assembly, Executive Committee, Linqed coordinator, and ad-hoc task forces (e.g. e-learning TF in 2010)

• Activities: annual workshop and EC meeting and specific projects (exchange, e-courses)

• Funding: DGD for 6 years (Jan 2008 to Dec 2013): 320.000€

We defined 2 key processes

• NETWORKING TO LEARN (N2L), a process of jointly learning about quality assurance in higher education,

• from sharing our experience and sharing information• to developing guidelines, … (and researching together?)

• LEARNING TO NETWORK (L2N): 3 dimensions• identifying dynamic “objects (content)” (that meet

members objectives) –Task or cognitive dimension• resource management, communication & coordination

and decision making – Network or structural dimension

• trust, rules or agreements between members – Relational dimension

Members 2013 (n=14)

Kick-off workshop Antwerpen November 2008

History (N2L)Year Input Workshop Output

May 2013

Critical thinking homework (critical thinking exercise, thesis supervision problems), CAP experience, members’ course descriptions, feedback exchange project

UP Pretoria

Guidelines for alignment of courses / modules?Supervision approach for critical thinking defined?First CAP survey results?Exchange projects further developed

May 2012

CAP self-assessment survey (pilots)Thesis survey (and examples thesis and thesis instructions )Presentations (e-learning / exchange)

PUCE Quito

Topic 3rd E-learning module defined3 exchange projects plannedThesis QA defined as topics for exchangeJoint CAP evaluation research planned

May 2011

Posters on exchange demand and offerPresentations on e-learning experienceReport Telemedicine workshop in Antwerp

UGM Yogyakarta

Log-frames projects finalised (2011-2013)Exchange guidelines agreedE-learning modules: online multimedia use, e-tutoringFramework for CAPs14 institutional plans (our journey)

Dec 2009

Assessment examples (tests, exams)Curriculum design examplesQuestionnaire on Quality in EducationEssay about Q and QA (written by AP)

INAS Rabat

3 (4) Projects defined: QA e.g. student assessment, (website), e-learning capacity, exchange activities

Nov 2008

Expectations surveyMember presentations

ITM Antwerp

Focus (Quality in Education)

Linqed workshop Rabat December 2009

History (N2L methods)

Year Workshop Teaching & Learning Methods

May 2013 UP Pretoria Peer reviewInfographic use“Critical thesis supervision”

May 2012 PUCE Quito Role plays exploredPecha-Kucha / Ignite presentationsFishbowl session (conversation)

May 2011 UGM Yogyakarta Market place (posters)Clicker (in class) voting systemWorld health championship game (self-assessment while playing)

Dec 2009 INAS Rabat The Socratic conversation, “de Bono’s” 6 thinking hats

Nov 2008 ITM Antwerpen Carousel, Educational Market, case presentations, small group work, feedback sessions, exploring sessions (scenario building)

Linqed workshop Yogyakarta May 2011

History (L2N)Year Input Workshop Output

May 2013

EC meeting Bangalore (Jan. 2013)Self assessment 6 years of membershipPriority survey next 3 years (FA3-III)

UPPretoria

Draft strategic plan 2014-20163rd rotation EC membersNew website structureStructured task dimension for (next) workshops

May 2012

EC meeting AntwerpPresentation of two potential new members

PUCE Quito

Evaluation criteria for Linqed 20132nd rotation EC members

May 2011

EC meeting AntwerpHERA mid-term external evaluation of LinqedBreakfast at Borobudur, visit Yogya and singing dinner

UGM Yogyakarta

1st rotation EC membersNew member: UMU UgandaExchange projects: application and evaluation formsWS report, 1 newsletterUMSS Cochabamba joined the tropEd Network

Dec 2009

EC meeting PretoriaTask force meeting (Quality in Educ)Visit Rabat, dancing dinner

INAS Rabat

Draft statutesNetwork named: Linqed (+ logo)www.linqed.orgNew member: IPK Cuba, WS report, 2 newsletters

Nov 2008

Presentation of all membersCooking together

ITM Antwerpen

Structure defined (EC appointed), First relations establishedJoint decision making stared, Workshop report

Mid-term evaluation (HERA, 2010)

Common goals

Knowledge sharing and creation

Capacity development

Communities of practice

Relationship & trust

Participation

Goodwill

Interdependencies

Cohesion

Structure & governance

Interorganisational coordination

Tasks and responsibilities

Flow of resources

Cognitivedimension

Relational dimension

Structuraldimension

LINQED

Mid-term conclusion

HERA Recommendations for the Linqed Network

• Consolidate what has been achieved so far (in terms of activities, products, participation) and work on creating more dynamism among the current partners

• Try to increase the communication flows, both virtual (website, e-communications) and face to face (workshops, sideline events at international conferences or Joint Partner Meetings)

• Keep the focus on knowledge sharing, capacity building and creation of communities of practice

Linqed workshop Quito May 2012

N2L The way it works…

We ask ourselves

1. How are things currently done in our institutions?

2. How should it or how can it be done better?

3. What does science tells us; evidence-base, theory?

4. Should, can we develop and apply a common framework (guideline, criteria and/or standards) for QA?

In each workshop(e.g. Pretoria)

N2L The way it works…

Exchange on practice, problems?

Bring in further evidence

Guideline, best practice & testing

Exchange on practice, problems?

Bring in further evidence

Guideline, best practice & testing

Exchange on practice, problems?

Bring in further evidence

Guideline, best practice & testing

Studentassess-ment

QA thesisprocess

QA coursedesign

Education & Quality: Choices 2013

N2L Choices for Pretoria workshop • Sharing experience with self assessment of

competency assessment programmes’ (CAPs)

• Reflect on thesis supervision; exploring the critical thinking approach

• Exchange on course alignment

Education & Quality: Choices 2013

N2L Choices for Pretoria workshop (continued) • Learn from experiences with drafting or

implementing exchange projects. We can plan new projects

• Reflect on the e-learning initiatives and identify future orientations for our joint e-learning course

• Use innovative methods e.g. Fostering critical thinking (supervision method), use of Infographic (presentation method)

Learning to network: Choices 2013

L2N in Pretoria workshop • Discussion of self-assessment of 6 years membership

• Preparing a strategic plan for (2014-2016)

• Preparing jointly the concept of the 6th Workshop (venue & task dimension)

• Reviewing of Linqed statutes, budget and new website

• Appointment of 2 new EC members

Linqed 2008-2013

Results of our self-assessment

Institutional / Personal benefits?

Institutional benefits•Overall yes: 11/11

– 3/11: benefits are slow

•From sub-projects: quality assurance: 8/11 and from eLearning / exchange: 6/11

– few concrete examples

Personal benefits•Reflection on quality at personal level is stimulated•Many mention personal efforts to improve teaching

– few concrete examples

•Use of new teaching methods was triggered•Getting acquainted with the diversity/richness in education in the network

Most beneficial project?

So far most beneficial sub-project? (n=11)

Embedding?

2/11 stated embedding as a success; due to good communication and political will

Barriers mentioned:Too few people involved in Linqed (no critical mass at home institution)Education is very conservative, its anyhow difficult to change anythingIn fact, after a Linqed workshop, an institutional workshop should followFeedback by Linqed workshop attenders is difficult due to time constraints and workloadLinqed workshop attender not involved in QA (decisions) at the home institutionNo communication system in the home institution for Linqed issuesLanguage barrier: mainly from English to SpanishAcademic staff often aren’t that interested in educational QA aspects

Learning to network?

• Linqed provides opportunities to improve education (11/11)

• Bringing personal concerns to the network: 2/11 say it’s difficult

• Question raised: do the right people attend the workshops?

• Members do consider Linqed is on the right track for networking, but progress is slow!

• Unfortunately language differences created a barrier• Annual workshops are key (11/11)• Continuity in networking between workshops is difficult

Suggestions?

• Workshops with more participants? More decision makers (different participation rules)?

• Communication systems for Linqed issues in member institutions to be created?

• Networking between workshops via social media for example?

• Virtual meetings (EC and open to other members)?

• Strengthen regional nodes, less language issues?

Suggestions (contin.)?

• Achieve more visibility through network products?• New strategies for Linqed embedding?• Activities to help members to make use of QA

guidelines developed in the network?• Easier admin. processes for exchange projects?• Regularly revise and define new priorities for the

network.

2014-2016?

What should be taken into accountif we continue with Linqed in FA3-III