Enhancements to Annual Evaluation
Tue, 14 Jul 2015 02:20:00 BST
You are probably aware that there has been a review of the Annual Evaluation Process, to try to simplify this without losing any of the rigour, so that it consumes less staff time. Part of this has involved staff from Computing and Library Services (CLS) and Planning and Information Services (PINS) in automating part of the process. We are implementing this in stages - for the 2014/15 cycle the changes will be as follows:
This includes:
- Course health check data available at School and Course level. This will help Annual Evaluation (AE) Committees focus attention on courses requiring further scrutiny as well as identifying areas of good practice;
- Online pre-populated form for Course Leaders to complete AE;
- Functionality to record actions identified as required relating to aspects of the AE Report;
- Redevelopment of course statistics. These will be presented within the online AE Report as a set of RAG-rated metrics, which should make it easier for course leaders and committee members to identify the most important areas that need attention;
- Training and documentation to support staff to complete online forms. Training sessions for staff will be available in September, dates and events will be communicated shortly.
Implications for Schools:
There are no process changes in how AE is run in Schools. Schools should make their arrangements re meetings and decision-making as they have in previous years;
- Instead of completing the existing Office Word proforma, Course Leaders will be required to complete the report via the online application;
- Arrangements for Collaborative Provision remain unchanged, with the exception that the Project Team has amended the current Office Word proforma to align with the online application. The new form for AE needs to be agreed with Registry and will then be circulated to Schools as soon as possible;
- Training sessions will be arranged for staff. It is important that as many staff as possible engage with this in order to ensure a smooth transition;
- The purpose of the report is to provide an opportunity to reflect on the quality of courses and identify any actions needed, as well as the opportunity to highlight good practice. It also provides tangible evidence of course review. A key emphasis for the 2014/15 cycle will be on providing examples of what aspects require commentary, how this should be stated and identification of actions to address these. Staff training sessions will include these elements.
The changes will make it very easy for both course leaders and School committees to analyse the data presented and to identify areas requiring attention and/or further investigation.
This supports a shift in focus of the report to a more risk-based approach which concentrates on:
- Consideration of the evidence via quantitative metrics and qualitative reports (External Examiners, Student Feedback, PSRBs)
- Identification of issues and highlighting good practice;
- Development of action plans to address these.
These changes are in line with the ongoing consultation of the Quality Assessment Review initiated by the funding bodies in October 2014. In order to incentivise, support and recognise outstanding learning and teaching the consultation has highlighted:
- Concentration on a risk-based approach to quality assessment;
- A flexible framework which minimises bureaucracy whilst respecting institutional autonomy;
- Switch in focus from processes to student learning outcomes.
It will be really important to make sure that this works smoothly, to avoid extra work or difficulties, so please do ensure that everyone involved participates in appropriate training.
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Broxton (ext. 2069) or Allen Sluggett (ext. 2802).
Thank you
Tim Thornton, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) and Christine Jarvis, Dean, School of Education and Professional Development
