Challenges of Quality in Teaching and Learning - Gwen van der velden

Challenges of Quality in Learning and Teaching

Gwen van der Velden, Director of Learning & Teaching Enhancement University of Bath

Association of University AdministratorsSouth West conference, Bristol 5/5/15

This session may help you to…

Engage with the ongoing quality assessment debate at national level, building on an understanding of core principles in quality management and with due reference to the interests of those with a stake in HE quality

relate arguments made in the national debate to the discussions that may take place in your own institution

(perhaps) add new angles to your consideration of quality challenges within your own institution

A challenging context: from purdah to progress?

Unpredictable national political interests

Review of QA in HE

International pressures and interests

Quality mechanisms (national)

National accreditation of curriculum Unified teaching standards (qualifications?) ‘the market will sort it’ Self regulatory arrangements Funding dependent regulation Legal protection consequences

Quality concepts

Quality is achieving academic standards Quality is when teaching efforts meet learner

needs Quality works when society’s needs are met

effectively Quality works when the institution meets its

own performance indicators

Behind the concepts of quality assurance

Key questions:Who decides when quality ‘occurs’?What values are institutions accounting for?What is measurable?Who do we wish to convince?

Quality occurs when academic standards are reached

Academic (and professional body?) expectations are to be met. Excellence is recognised

Standards and quality go together: reaching standards means good quality teaching

Academics oversee quality (assessment and peer review)

Will this concept suffice?

Quality occurs when teaching efforts match learner needs

Engaging students in quality management and understanding pedagogy

Staff and students work together to establish quality

Can we measure this quality? And how? Can we evidence it for accountability? Will this concept suffice?

Quality occurs when society’s needs are met

HE produces the graduates that industry needs/ that society needs/ that the global future needs/ politicians state are needed

The needs of those who pay for students’ education are met

Employability is a core quality indicator How is quality evidenced to society? Will this concept suffice?

Quality is achieved when institutions achieve according to resources and abilities

Quality performance indicators show the institution/ disciplines perform well

Publishable quality indicators are achieved and require no more than affordable investment

A myriad of qualitative and quantitative indicators are required

Will this approach suffice?

Thanks for your attention…

Any questions?