Welcome slide

Enhancing learning, teaching and assessment: an overview of national initiatives in the UK Presented by Richard Blackwell, HEFCE Regional Consultant

Overview of HEFCE policy Late 1990’s key issues driving change: – Raising the profile of L&T – Public confidence in the quality of L&T – Encourage continuous development – Threat of global competition – Efficient and effective use of resources – Pedagogic research to inform developments

Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund (TQEF) TQEF established 1999 to support: – Encouragement and reward – Co-ordination and collaboration – Dissemination and embedding of good practice – Research and innovation – Building capacity for change £89M £92M

More recent developments 2003 white paper: – Establishment of HE Academy – Support for professional development of HE staff – Establishment of Centres of Excellence in T&L (CETLs)

Enhancement 2006 to 2009 TQEF implemented through 3 strands: Institutional –L&T strategies –CETLs Subject –HE Academy Individual –National Teaching Fellow Scheme (NTFS) HEFCE e-learning strategy

TQEF 2006 to 2009 TQEF maturing – encouraging further embedding of institutional L&T strategies: – Currently around £525 million invested across the three strands supporting strategic change – Sustaining continuous improvement - good practice guide (HEFCE 2006/35) - to encourage development and embedding of strategies – Evaluation of HE Academy and interim evaluation of CETL programme (to report early 2008)

Quality Assurance Framework Self-regulation – From assessment to audit of processes. Evidence: – Management of quality – Student satisfaction – NSS analysis Enhancement within English QA QAA – HE Academy collaboration

Developing a L&T strategy Context: size, structure, culture, mission, students Staff ownership in development and implementation Creating fora for discussion and debate Balancing centralised/devolved support/coordination Balancing top-down, middle out & bottom-up Links with other strategies e.g. HR Reflection/evaluation

Institutional priorities - examples Institutional structures e.g. L&T committee Central support – e.g. development unit Developing staff – professional standards and HEA Reward and recognition e.g. awards, promotion Good practice – dissemination and assimilation Supporting innovation e.g. curriculum, ICT Improving assessment and feedback Supporting scholarship and pedagogic research

In the context of our national priorities Teaching informed and enriched by research Supporting continuing professional development Support for student and staff volunteering Supporting success and progression for students with diverse needs

Future challenges and opportunities Changing learner profile and expectations Providing a quality learning experience in a changing environment HE contributing effectively to the economy: – The needs of employers – The skills base Balancing national policies with institutional autonomy Review of fees cap

Further information HEFCE 2006/35 “Embedding learning and teaching strategies: an approach to self- assessment by higher education institutions” HEFCE (2005) “Summative evaluation of the Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund” HEFCE 2001/37 “Strategies for learning and teaching in higher education: a guide to good practice” HEFCE 2001/37a “Analysis of strategies for learning and teaching” by Graham Gibbs