Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Background on the Board Processes (to give confidence in the results) Progress so far

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Board members Chair 8 x Director of Learning and Teaching 2 x Deans Director of Quality Development Director of Recruitment and Admissions Registrar Student representation (1 staff and 1 student) Assistant registrar (also clerk)

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Remit To develop an overall strategy for learning and teaching To monitor and evaluate the strategy To enhance learning and teaching and disseminate best practice

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board The reason we need a strategy is to determine how to get from where we are to where we want to be We are not where we want to be (external environment keeps changing)

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board A strategy has A process of creation A critical assessment of the context and culture Curriculum Learning, teaching and assessment practice Quality assurance Quality enhancement and infrastructure change A clear set of goals and targets Monitoring, implementation and evaluation HEFCE

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Method 1: A senior manager sets the strategic plan and implements it. This tends not to be successful Method 2: A learning and teaching board develops a plan in consultation with the schools/ departments on a shared strategy. This approach has a high success rate HEFCE We are adopting method 2

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Time scale A strategic plan will undergo several revisions Implementation will take several years We plan to update the strategic plan in June but details will take longer to fully work out

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Main business is strategy 2 current groups working on immediate issues Recruitment and admissions Retention Day to day business

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Heriot-Watt strategic plan We have an existing University strategic plan with targets and objectives written largely without consultation We have School strategic plans with targets and objectives written largely without reference to the University strategic plan

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board The University Strategic plan suggests an underlying vision of a strong technical base providing support for global distance learning delivery. (3 of the key objectives are for activities now undertaken by IU) The School plans suggest an underlying vision of a strongly focused university providing a range of excellent courses by a variety of methods to a wide range of students

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Conflicts between the plans None that are serious

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Gaps between the plans Nothing on developing and enhancing traditional teaching Nothing on making HW more attractive for conventional students and non-traditional students Nothing on providing a learning infrastructure

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Interactive University Strategic plan well developed (clear goals and implementation) Several operational difficulties IU has not been able to identify any new commercially viable programmes in HW No school is pressing for inclusion in IU portfolio

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board LTB Process 1.Agree a vision for the University (in L&T) 2.Agree priorities to achieve that vision 3.Work out detailed plans with targets 4.Implement Consultation at every stage Continuing revisions to the strategy

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Shared vision Independent and financially secure (grow) Increased prestige (move up league table) Strong specialist subject focus (differentiation) but supporting a wide range of less specialist courses Excellence in teaching and innovative teaching (differentiation)

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Shared vision Scholarship in teaching (enhancement) Wider access and more flexible delivery leading to greater efficiency Meet student aspirations (pre-awareness to employment) Enhanced learning environment (virtual environment, IT, library careers advice etc)

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board To achieve that vision we have identified 4 strategic themes 1.How do we grow 2.Enhancing teaching and learning 3.Student issues 4.Institutional issues

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board 1.How do we grow : Part time students DL students Wider accessOverseas students Flexible programmesPortfolio development MarketingRecruitment FE linksExploiting Scholar/IU Exploiting the campus

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board 2. Enhancing teaching and learning: Scholarship in teachingLinks with research Increasing efficienciesAssessment Open learningQAA/SHEFC Support from IU or other computer based learning environments

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board 3. Student issues : Personal developmentStudents as partners Ease of accessSummer schools Improving feedbackSocial environment Employment and employability

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board 4. Institutional issues : InterdisciplinarityAvoiding duplication Sharing best practiceCoherence Cooperation Integrated information systems School / support service links

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board The LTB has 4 working groups to report in time to update the Strategic plan in June The strategy will be refined throughout 2003/04 with consultation, evaluation and revision

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board Jan 2003 LTB processes (start again) Feb 2003Agree a shared vision Mar 2003Working groups on 4 themes May 2003Senate discussion May 2003School discussion May 2003Agreed objectives, targets, timescales for inclusion in the strategic plan June 2003Revised strategic plan

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board From May 2003 Refine the strategy adding more detail Integrate the strategic plans of schools Integrate the plans of recruitment and admissions, library, careers office and other support services Set up working groups to agree implementation Monitor the evolving strategy

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board From Oct 2003 Longer time horizon (beyond 2 years) Greater awareness of external influences Examine larger issues (School of art and design) Integration with other strategies (research, estate, financial) Fill in detail (equal opportunities, timetable issues)

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK Learning and Teaching Board