Linqed educational network Pretoria, May 27, 2013 Govert van Heusden (Linqed promoter at ITM) Lai Jiang (Linqed coordinator)

Agenda Where we came from Choices Pretoria workshop Self-assessment of 6 years Preliminary suggestions for

Main facts Origin: among institutional and strategic network partners (ITM-DGD FA ) Aim: networking for capacity strengthening in higher education Planning / monitoring: log frames developed (2008: for network, and in 2010 for 3 specific projects) Management: Linqed Assembly, Executive Committee, Linqed coordinator, and ad-hoc task forces (e.g. e- learning TF in 2010) Activities: annual workshop and EC meeting and specific projects (exchange, e-courses) Funding: DGD for 6 years (Jan 2008 to Dec 2013): €

We defined 2 key processes NETWORKING TO LEARN (N2L), a process of jointly learning about quality assurance in higher education, from sharing our experience and sharing information to developing guidelines, … (and researching together?) LEARNING TO NETWORK (L2N): 3 dimensions identifying dynamic “objects (content)” (that meet members objectives) – Task or cognitive dimension resource management, communication & coordination and decision making – Network or structural dimension trust, rules or agreements between members – Relational dimension

Members 2013 (n=14)

Kick-off workshop Antwerpen November 2008

History ( N2L ) YearInputWorkshopOutput May 2013Critical thinking homework (critical thinking exercise, thesis supervision problems), CAP experience, members’ course descriptions, feedback exchange project UP PretoriaGuidelines for alignment of courses / modules? Supervision approach for critical thinking defined? First CAP survey results? Exchange projects further developed May 2012CAP self-assessment survey (pilots) Thesis survey (and examples thesis and thesis instructions ) Presentations (e-learning / exchange) PUCE Quito Topic 3rd E-learning module defined 3 exchange projects planned Thesis QA defined as topics for exchange Joint CAP evaluation research planned May 2011Posters on exchange demand and offer Presentations on e-learning experience Report Telemedicine workshop in Antwerp UGM Yogyakarta Log-frames projects finalised ( ) Exchange guidelines agreed E-learning modules: online multimedia use, e- tutoring Framework for CAPs 14 institutional plans (our journey) Dec 2009Assessment examples (tests, exams) Curriculum design examples Questionnaire on Quality in Education Essay about Q and QA (written by AP) INAS Rabat3 (4) Projects defined: QA e.g. student assessment, (website), e-learning capacity, exchange activities Nov 2008Expectations survey Member presentations ITM Antwerp Focus (Quality in Education)

Linqed workshop Rabat December 2009

History ( N2L methods ) YearWorkshopTeaching & Learning Methods May 2013UP PretoriaPeer review Infographic use “Critical thesis supervision” May 2012PUCE QuitoRole plays explored Pecha-Kucha / Ignite presentations Fishbowl session (conversation) May 2011UGM YogyakartaMarket place (posters) Clicker (in class) voting system World health championship game (self-assessment while playing) Dec 2009INAS RabatThe Socratic conversation, “de Bono’s” 6 thinking hats Nov 2008ITM AntwerpenCarousel, Educational Market, case presentations, small group work, feedback sessions, exploring sessions (scenario building)

Linqed workshop Yogyakarta May 2011

History ( L2N ) YearInputWorkshopOutput May 2013 EC meeting Bangalore (Jan. 2013) Self assessment 6 years of membership Priority survey next 3 years (FA3-III) UP Pretoria Draft strategic plan rd rotation EC members New website structure Structured task dimension for (next) workshops May 2012 EC meeting Antwerp Presentation of two potential new members PUCE Quito Evaluation criteria for Linqed nd rotation EC members May 2011 EC meeting Antwerp HERA mid-term external evaluation of Linqed Breakfast at Borobudur, visit Yogya and singing dinner UGM Yogyakarta 1 st rotation EC members New member: UMU Uganda Exchange projects: application and evaluation forms WS report, 1 newsletter UMSS Cochabamba joined the tropEd Network Dec 2009 EC meeting Pretoria Task force meeting (Quality in Educ) Visit Rabat, dancing dinner INAS RabatDraft statutes Network named: Linqed (+ logo) New member: IPK Cuba, WS report, 2 newsletters Nov 2008 Presentation of all members Cooking together ITM Antwerpen Structure defined (EC appointed), First relations established Joint decision making stared, Workshop report

Mid-term evaluation (HERA, 2010) LINQED

Mid-term conclusion HERA Recommendations for the Linqed Network Consolidate what has been achieved so far (in terms of activities, products, participation) and work on creating more dynamism among the current partners Try to increase the communication flows, both virtual (website, e- communications) and face to face (workshops, sideline events at international conferences or Joint Partner Meetings) Keep the focus on knowledge sharing, capacity building and creation of communities of practice

Linqed workshop Quito May 2012

N2L The way it works… We ask ourselves 1.How are things currently done in our institutions? 2.How should it or how can it be done better? 3.What does science tells us; evidence-base, theory? 4.Should, can we develop and apply a common framework (guideline, criteria and/or standards) for QA?

In each workshop (e.g. Pretoria) N2L The way it works… Exchange on practice, problems? Bring in further evidence Guideline, best practice & testing Exchange on practice, problems? Bring in further evidence Guideline, best practice & testing Exchange on practice, problems? Bring in further evidence Guideline, best practice & testing Student assess- ment QA thesis process QA course design

Education & Quality: Choices 2013 N2L Choices for Pretoria workshop Sharing experience with self assessment of competency assessment programmes’ (CAPs) Reflect on thesis supervision; exploring the critical thinking approach Exchange on course alignment

Education & Quality: Choices 2013 N2L Choices for Pretoria workshop (continued) Learn from experiences with drafting or implementing exchange projects. We can plan new projects Reflect on the e-learning initiatives and identify future orientations for our joint e-learning course Use innovative methods e.g. Fostering critical thinking (supervision method), use of Infographic (presentation method)

Learning to network: Choices 2013 L2N in Pretoria workshop Discussion of self-assessment of 6 years membership Preparing a strategic plan for ( ) Preparing jointly the concept of the 6 th Workshop (venue & task dimension) Reviewing of Linqed statutes, budget and new website Appointment of 2 new EC members

Remember, the remarks we made in 2009… We need more time for discussion (3→4d): OK We need theoretical ref. frameworks to discuss: OK We need to follow things up during the year: difficult Website must become real exchange platform: new website We should continue to look for language solutions: focus on English! (New) participants should know the network better: OK We should know each others’ education reality better: Improving? People should do some preparatory work before the WS: still difficult

Linqed Results of our self-assessment

Institutional / Personal benefits? Institutional benefits Overall yes: 11/11 –3/11: benefits are slow From sub-projects: quality assurance: 8/11 and from eLearning / exchange: 6/11 –few concrete examples Personal benefits Reflection on quality at personal level is stimulated Many mention personal efforts to improve teaching –few concrete examples Use of new teaching methods was triggered Getting acquainted with the diversity/richness in education in the network

Most beneficial project? So far most beneficial sub-project? (n=11)

Embedding? 2/11 stated embedding as a success; due to good communication and political will Barriers mentioned: Too few people involved in Linqed (no critical mass at home institution) Education is very conservative, its anyhow difficult to change anything In fact, after a Linqed workshop, an institutional workshop should follow Feedback by Linqed workshop attenders is difficult due to time constraints and workload Linqed workshop attender not involved in QA (decisions) at the home institution No communication system in the home institution for Linqed issues Language barrier: mainly from English to Spanish Academic staff often aren’t that interested in educational QA aspects

Learning to network? Linqed provides opportunities to improve education (11/11) Bringing personal concerns to the network: 2/11 say it’s difficult Question raised: do the right people attend the workshops? Members do consider Linqed is on the right track for networking, but progress is slow! Unfortunately language differences created a barrier Annual workshops are key (11/11) Continuity in networking between workshops is difficult

Suggestions? Workshops with more participants? More decision makers (different participation rules)? Communication systems for Linqed issues in member institutions to be created? Networking between workshops via social media for example? Virtual meetings (EC and open to other members)? Strengthen regional nodes, less language issues?

Suggestions (contin.)? Achieve more visibility through network products? New strategies for Linqed embedding? Activities to help members to make use of QA guidelines developed in the network? Easier admin. processes for exchange projects? Regularly revise and define new priorities for the network.

? What should be taken into account if we continue with Linqed in FA3-III