Student Voice An Ako Aotearoa perspective

Student Voice SummitMay 2015

Nicholas Huntington; Senior Project/Research Analyst

Ako Aotearoa is New Zealand’s National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence

Through a focus on enhancing the effectiveness of tertiary teaching and learning practices, the Centre will assist educators and organisations to enable the best possible educational outcomes for all learners.

Key activities:• Supporting research and sharing of good practice.• Providing professional development for tertiary educators.• Leading strategic discussion and debate.

www.akoaotearoa.ac.nz

May 2015

What is Learner-Centred Tertiary Education?

• Learners are varied, and value different specific outcomes.

• Different approaches to teaching and assessment suit different learners (and different disciplines).

• But all learners value fit-for-purpose education.

• ‘Purposive’ education.

• ‘Supportive’ education.

• ‘Responsive’ education.

May 2015

Which means…

‘Hearing’ the student voice has to be a key element of a high performing organisation.

• It ensures teaching meets student needs.

• Increases quality of learning environment.

• Greater organisational transparency.

• Wider contextual benefits (e.g. civic engagement).

• Leads to better outcomes.

May 2015

May 2015

Student Voice in Tertiary Education Settings resources available at:http://akoaotearoa.ac.nz/projects/student-voice-effective-representation-and-quality

May 2015

Ako Aotearoa’s goals for the next day

Within institutions:

• Promoting critical reflection on what you currently do (and what you could do).

• Supporting internal communication and collaboration.

Between institutions:

• Sharing ‘what works well’.

• Sharing ‘what isn’t working well’.

Leading to concrete change