Transcript Revalidation Process - University of Ulster

Evaluation and Revalidation
2014/15
BRIEFING SEMINAR
1 OCTOBER 2014
Catherine Avery
ACADEMIC OFFICE
Programme Approval/Re-approval
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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
Purpose
EVALUATION:
 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
meeting
CASC
Faculty
LTC
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 revision
 Programme Specification
 Courses/Subjects – preparation of validation documentation
 Approval 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
Document
http://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
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Academic progression, internal coherence, choice
Structure diagram
Transfer to and from course, progression
Work-based learning/placement/study abroad
Learning, teaching and assessment
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Exemplar%20Assessment%20Schedule.
docx
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Research/scholarship-informed curriculum and teaching
Creativity, innovation and good practice
Standards
Relations with PSRBs
Employability
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B3 – Regulations (Award templates on AO website)
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B4 - Module Descriptions (template)
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/MODULE%20DESC%20
TEMPLATE.DOC
Section C: Resources
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C1 - Physical resources
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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)
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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
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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