1. Evaluation and Revalidation 2014/15 Catherine Avery ACADEMIC OFFICE BRIEFING SEMINAR 1 OCTOBER 2014

2. Programme Approval/Re-approval  Purpose  Revalidation Units and Cycle  Evaluation/Revalidation process  Curriculum Management System (CMS)  Panel composition  Panel Papers  Validation Meeting  Documentation  Issues raised by Panels (2013/14)  Issues raised by students (2013/14)  Key issues for consideration

3. Purpose EVALUATION :  accords with the University’s purpose and core strategic aims;  academic structure and content appropriate;  accords with the University’s scheme of qualifications; modular structure; credit framework and general regulations for the award;  standard and student workload comparable to those of other programmes nationally;  resources sufficient to meet aims and objectives;  evidence of reasonable employment and progression opportunities. REVALIDATION: re-affirmation of standards currency of curriculum continuing relevance to University’s Strategic Aims

4. Revalidation Units and Cycle Subject units  Groupings of cognate programmes  Reflect discipline and/or campus, level (UG/PG)  Revalidation course listing Cycle  Five year cycle  Monthly schedule of revalidation events

5. Revalidation Process CA6 Faculty Revalidation Unit Coordinator Document prepared Revalidation CASC LTC meeting Faculty response

6. Curriculum Management System (CMS) https://curriculum.ulster.ac.uk https://curriculum.ulster.ac.uk New system to support production and approval of curriculum documentation for internal University courses (Phase 1) Resource for:  Modules – creation and revision  Programme Specification  Courses/Subjects – preparation of validation documentation  Approval processes – course revisions, course withdrawals, validation documents, credit-bearing short course modules

7. Key Benefits  Online documentation and approval process  Automatic creation of PDFs of programme specifications and module descriptions  Facility to obtain feedback from colleagues on draft versions  Facility to update reading lists and teaching teams  Online accessible, single repository of full module and course information  Information can be used for other curriculum-related documents  HEAR - programme-level learning outcomes  KIS – teaching, learning and assessment methods

8. Panel Composition  Chair  Dean (or nominee) (collaborative provision only)  One internal member  One student representative (revalidation only)  Two external members (subject experts)  Industry/employer representative  PSRB representatives (joint events only) In Attendance: Secretary (Academic Office) Subject Partnership Manager (collaborative provision)

9. Papers for the Meeting  Guidelines for panels  Agenda and programme  Subject benchmark and PSRB standards  External examiner reports (revalidation only)  Course/subject document  Preliminary comments - CA7 (panel members)  CA4 form (completed by Subject Partnership Manager)  Central Department Reports: Library, IT, ADDL

10. Validation Meeting  Introductions and tour of facilities specialist teaching facilities  Private Panel Meeting to plan the conduct of the meeting to exchange views on the provision  Meeting with Senior Management Team to discuss higher level strategic issues

11. Meeting contd.  Meeting with Students to explore students’ views (revalidation only)  Meeting with Course Team to discuss the provision in detail  Private Panel session to reach a decision on approval  Meeting with Senior Management Team to feedback conclusions and recommendations

12. Document http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Course%20Eval-Sub%20Reval%20Doc.doc http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/AIDE%20MEMOIRE.pdf Section A: Introduction  Brief summary of rationale, origins, demand, relationship other courses in School/Faculty/subject  Projected intakes for next 5 years Section B: Course/Subject Provision  B1 Programme Specification(s) (template available) http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/ProgrammeSpecification.doc

13. B2 Commentaries: Recent and proposed changes Academic progression, internal coherence, choice Structure diagram Transfer to and from course, progression Work-based learning/placement/study abroad Learning, teaching and assessment http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Exemplar%20Assessment%20Schedule. docx Research/scholarship-informed curriculum and teaching Creativity, innovation and good practice Standards Relations with PSRBs Employability

14.  B3 – Regulations (Award templates on AO website)  B4 - Module Descriptions (template) http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/MODULE%20DESC%20 TEMPLATE.DOC Section C: Resources  C1 - Physical resources  C2 - Staff resources

15. Examples of Issues Raised by Panels in 2013/14  Recruitment and Admission: projected enrolments, modes, entry requirements, application of APEL policy  Content and Standards: title of programme/modules, course structure, full-time/part-time, exit awards; graduate qualities; regulations; learning outcomes; research methods; study skills, work-based learning, articulation arrangements  Learning and Teaching: fully online, contact hours, engagement with ADDL, BBL, new technologies, research/scholarship-informed teaching, placement  Assessment and Feedback: Principles of Assessment and Feedback for Learning, assessment strategy, schedule, group work/individual marks, assessment criteria, formative/summative feedback

16. Cont.  Support for Students: induction, international students, cohort identity, employment opportunities guidance  Resources and Staff Development: library resources, IT software, outcentres, cohort size by site (partner institutions), links with employers and subject ‘peers’, recognised teachers, identification of staff development needs

17. Examples of Issues Raised by Students in 2013/14  Content: work experience, options, ‘challenge’ at PG level  Organisation and Delivery: supervisors, time-tabling, cohort identity, BBL, fully online delivery, access to support  Assessment and Feedback: ‘bunching’ of assignments, group work (too much, composition of groups, practical difficulties, assessment criteria, group and individual marks), nature, timing and quality of feedback, use of Pass/Fail grading  Resources: studio space, refreshment facilities and communal area, printing, short-term loan materials

18. KEY ISSUES  Changes to new proposals from that approved by APSC e.g. title, duration, mode, location  Exit awards  Graduate Qualities  Internationalisation of the curriculum  Study Skills  Principles of Assessment and Feedback for Learning  Group work policy  Course exemplar assessment schedule  Employability  Research and/or scholarship-informed teaching

19. PLACEMENT - DPP/DPP(I)  Customised learning outcomes  Placement  Assessment of Placement (two models)  Award grading RESEARCH PROJECT  All undergraduate and integrated Master’s degrees

20. Academic Office Website: http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice -Assessment Handbook -Committees -Course and Subject Management -Curriculum Management System -Documents and forms -External Examiners -Learning and Teaching Strategy -Partner Institutions -Policies (A-Z) -Programme Approval & Revision -Regulations templates -Regulatory Framework -Staff -Standards

21. ACADEMIC OFFICE CONTACTS Alan Faulkner ext 24566 Catherine Avery ext 24294