Universities and Curriculum for Excellence Grant Jarvie Cathy Macaslan

Part One : Key Themes What is the state of play with Curriculum for Excellence? How have the enhancement themes articulated with Curriculum for Excellence? How do universities continue to balance excellence with domestic responsibility? Why should universities be involved/work with Curriculum for Excellence? Curriculum for Excellence does not exist in isolation

Curriculum for Excellence state of play 10 th February 2010 Education, Life-Long Learning and Culture Committee 25 th February 2010 Chamber debate and motion on Curriculum for Excellence

Enhancement, Curriculum Reform and Universities In the context of this conference it is important not to underestimate the evolving impact of the enhancement themes. They have provided frameworks for developing aspects of university learning, teaching and the student experience which are not too far removed from what Curriculum for Excellence developments are attempting to put in place.

Why should Universities be involved? The grant letter from SFC Work with and influence government (s) National change agenda and universities have a lot to offer It is not likely to go away Scottish student expectations Subject content and admissions criteria to university. CPD opportunities and challenges Transition into university and social mobility Other

Curriculum for Excellence does not exist in isolation Curriculum for Excellence of course does not exist in isolation from either the broader forces that are impinging upon the university sector or from the many other things that universities do.

Part One : Key Messages Universities are well placed to add support and capacity building to Curriculum for Excellence Universities are Curriculum (s) for Excellence Curriculum for Excellence does not operate in isolation Balanced excellence and domestic responsibility Narrowing the gap, life chances and future aspirations Letting universities prosper creates winners all round

Part Two : Key Themes Why Change? What is changing? How will it be better? What will it mean for learners? How can it enhance learning and teaching in Higher Education?

Why change? 2002: National Debate on Education 5-14 yr olds: frame of reference Young people: better equipped for a modern economy and society 2004: Curriculum for Excellence 2007: OECD “ Quality and Equity of Schooling in Scotland”

Who does it affect? All those aged 3-18 yrs All those teaching in that age range Parents Employers Higher Education sector College sector

What’s happening? All schools will begin to implement First students with Baccs Recruitment based on new quals and experiences First students from 5 th Year First students from 6 th year

New qualifications Literacy 5 Literacy 4 Literacy 3 Numeracy 5 Numeracy 4 Numeracy 3 Adv Higher Higher National 5 National 4 Access 3 Access 2 Access 1

Curriculum for Excellence (CFE)- is defined in 6 ways; – Structure of curriculum – Content – Standards – Nature and quality of learning experiences – How teachers use assessment – Certification, qualifications and recognition of wider achievement

Principles of curriculum design Challenge and enjoyment Breadth and depth Progression Personalisation and choice Coherence Relevance

successful learners with enthusiasm and motivation for learning determination to reach high standards of achievement openness to new thinking and ideas and able to use literacy, communication and numeracy skills use technology for learning think creatively and independently learn independently and as part of a group make reasoned evaluations link and apply different kinds of learning in new situations confident individuals with self respect a sense of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing secure values and beliefs ambition and able to relate to others and manage themselves pursue a healthy and active lifestyle be self aware develop and communicate their own beliefs and view of the world live as independently as they can assess risk and take informed decisions achieve success in different areas of activity responsible citizens with respect for others commitment to participate responsibly in political, economic, social and cultural life and able to develop knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it understand different beliefs and cultures make informed choices and decisions evaluate environmental, scientific and technological issues develop informed, ethical views of complex issues effective contributors with an enterprising attitude resilience self-reliance and able to communicate in different ways and in different settings work in partnership and in teams take the initiative and lead apply critical thinking in new contexts create and develop solve problems To enable all young people to become

Attributes CFE: Successful learners Confident Individuals Responsible citizens Effective contributors One University: Academically excellent Open to learning and personal development Active citizens Critical thinkers and effective communicators

Curriculum Design: Graduate Attributes Graduate of University of Aberdeen Academically excellent TO KNOW In-depth discipline knowledge Breadth of knowledge Contextual understanding Open to learning and personal development TO BE Openness to, and interest in, lifelong learning Self reflection Critical thinkers and effective TO DO communicators Synthesis and analysis Informed argument and reasoning Diverse set of transferable and generic skills Active Citizens TO LIVE TOG Appreciation - ethical and moral issues Appreciation - social and cultural diversity Appreciation - enterprise & leadership Four Clusters:

What does it mean for higher education and learning? Lifelong learning framework Learner attributes better described Benefits which can be capitalised upon by HE Enhancement of progression and accessibility Changed expectations

Recognition of wider experiences and achievement Interdisciplinary experiences Better prepared students Better platform for graduate attributes

…..for Learning and Teaching Strategies Expectations - from students / of students, will be raised Tools such as PDP and HEAR need to connect to School and College based approaches Complementary approaches to learning and teaching Enhancement Theme agenda complements CFE Improved access and transition across the 3 sectors

Assessment Employability Wider Achievement Learner capacities Graduate Attributes Flexibility Employability Assessment Wider Achievement HEAR PDP

What does this mean for graduates? Continuity within a lifelong learning framework? Better understanding and articulation of own needs Increased expectations on HE and CPD? Changed expectations of employers?

Challenges Senior phase Need to understand new qualifications. Assessment modes Relationships - admissions policies/ requirements and new quals? -admissions policies and L and Teaching strategies? Change to nature of information supplied? More challenging students?

Opportunities Sectoral change becomes interdependant? “Boundaries” reduced and more easily negotiated? Better continuity/ progression? Different forms of learning explicitly valued? Value –added for Universities?

Qualifications and Assessment Curriculum documentation