TAFE NSW HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES, RESOURCES & SERVICES REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE

Transcription

1 TAFE NSW HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES, RESOURCES & SERVICES REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE Version: 1 Page 1 of 6

2 Contents 1. Introduction Audience and applicability Definitions Document history and details Stakeholder feedback Library resources and services Ongoing review Relevant documents: Monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements Publication of this procedure... 6 Version: 1 Page 2 of 6

3 1. Introduction 1.1 These procedures outline the processes and principles to ensure appropriate maintenance, review and improvement of facilities, resources and services utilised by TAFE NSW Higher Education to facilitate the successful delivery of its higher education courses. 1.2 These procedures are authorised by the TAFE NSW Higher Education Executive Group (THEEG) to ensure that TAFE NSW Higher Education has well maintained facilities and adequate resources for staff and students that are appropriate in scope and quality for the capacity of the HE Institute and mode of delivery of its courses. 1.3 Through regular review and feedback from various stakeholders, the THEEG and the Teaching and Learning Committee will monitor the efficacy of TAFE NSW Higher Education facilities and resources and take action to implement improvements where necessary. 2. Audience and applicability 2.1 These procedures apply to all TAFE NSW Higher Education staff responsible for the delivery of higher education courses. 3. Definitions Academic staff Course Co-ordinator Teaching and Learning Committee TAFE NSW Higher Education TAFE NSW Higher Education Executive Group (THEEG) Survey Instruments Facilities Dean, Course Co-ordinators, Teachers Head teacher of a higher education course Committee responsible for monitoring and reporting on quality assurance processes for teaching and learning ensuring day-to-day academic operations meet quality educational standards TAFE NSW Commission Higher Education Institute The TAFE NSW Higher Education Executive Group (THEEG) takes responsibility for the efficient conduct of TAFE NSW s higher education operations. The THEEG is the primary operational decision-making body of the higher education institution and manages the delivery of TAFE NSW s higher education courses Student Survey, Teacher Survey, Graduate Survey Includes but not restricted to: classrooms library/information resource centres laboratories administrative areas staff office accommodation Version: 1 Page 3 of 6

4 Resources Services Include but not restricted to: Up-to-date software and hardware Library books Include but not restricted to: Counselling and career services provide Academic advice Learner support IT Support Disabilities support 4. Document history and details Version 1: October Stakeholder feedback Regular stakeholder feedback through the use of survey instruments will inform TAFE NSW Higher Education when reviewing the adequacy of its facilities, resources and services through the following process: 5.1 A student survey is conducted for selected subjects during each semester. 5.2 A teacher survey is conducted at the end of each subject for selected subjects. 5.3 The student survey will include a section on the quality of TAFE NSW Higher Education facilities, resources and services soliciting suggestions on any improvements which might be made to improve the student experience. 5.4 The teacher survey will include a section on the quality of TAFE NSW Higher Education facilities, resources and services soliciting feedback on any deficiencies or improvements from the point of view of teaching and learning. 5.5 The Course Coordinator will review the student and teacher surveys, analyse the feedback and summarise any issues raised. 5.6 The Course Coordinator and Dean will meet formally and informally with teachers to address any issues raised and to develop possible strategies for improvement. 5.7 The Dean will include recommendations and strategies for improvements to facilities, resources and services in his/her report to each meeting of the Teaching and Learning Committee. 5.8 The Teaching and Learning Committee will recommend any improvements to facilities, resources or services to the THEEG for action. 5.9 All improvements approved by the THEEG for action will be allocated to a staff member to complete within the approved timeframe Outstanding actions will be monitored by the THEEG until evidence of completion Where additional funding is required for the improvement of facilities, resources or services, TAFE NSW Higher Education s Chief Executive Officer will include it in his/her report to the TAFE NSW Higher Education Governing Council (the Council) supported by a request for additional funding. Version: 1 Page 4 of 6

5 5.12 Where additional funding has been approved by the Governing Council, the THEEG will allocate staff to complete the work within the approved timeframe. 6. Library resources and services The TAFE NSW Higher Education library will acquire, preserve and provide access to a wide range of collections that are relevant to both the learning needs and scholarly endeavours of teaching staff and students through the following process: 6.1 The library is provided with an initial budget to enable the purchase of all recommended reading material specified in the subject outlines for TAFE NSW Higher Education s courses and an appropriate annual budget for the purchase and development of library holdings and resources. The budget will be determined by the Higher Education Governing Council in consultation with the Academic Board. 6.2 The library is the primary information source for teaching staff and students of TAFE NSW Higher Education. The library will develop a significant collection in print and/or electronic format to ensure currency of information. 6.3 Resources to support teaching and learning are not limited to prescribed and recommended reading lists on subject outlines. 6.4 At the end of each academic year, the Teaching and Learning Committee (through the Dean and Library Manager) is responsible for the annual review of library holdings to determine new materials to be purchased in the following academic year. This review of library holdings will be based on recommendations from the Library Manager, recommendations from surveys or direct requests from teaching staff to the Dean which have been approved by the Teaching and Learning Committee. 6.5 If the annual review of library holdings recommends expenditure which will exceed the budget, the Teaching and Learning Committee will provide a report to the Academic Board with the list of required resources, associated costs and rationale for the increase. If approved by the Academic Board, the request will be referred to the Governing Council for their approval. 6.6 Where a review of courses results in the approval of new/revised subjects and/or new prescribed or recommended texts and readings, these must be funded and purchased prior to the delivery of the new/revised subjects. 6.7 The library must be funded to ensure appropriate computing equipment is available for students to access on-line databases and the library catalogue. 7. Ongoing review The THEEG will continuously review the efficacy of facilities, resources and services in their areas of responsibility through the following process: 7.1 Each member of the THEEG will be required to report at each meeting on any issues related to facilities, resources and services that have arisen since the previous meeting. This will be a standing item on the agenda for meetings of the THEEG. 7.2 Where improvements to TAFE NSW Higher Education facilities, resources and services need to be addressed, any actions required will be determined by the Version: 1 Page 5 of 6

6 THEEG and will allocate a staff member to complete the work within the approved timeframe. 7.3 Outstanding actions will be monitored by the THEEG until evidence of completion. 7.4 Where additional funding is required for the improvement of facilities, resources and services, the TAFE NSW Higher Education Chief Executive Officer will include it in his/her report to the Governing Council supported by a request for additional funding. 7.5 Where additional funding has been approved by the Council, the THEEG will allocate a staff member to complete the work within the approved timeframe. 8. Relevant documents: TAFE NSW Higher Education Student Survey TAFE NSW Higher Education Teacher Survey TAFE NSW Higher Education Graduate Survey TAFE NSW Higher Education Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement Framework TAFE NSW Higher Education Course Design Development and Evaluation Policy and Procedure 9. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements 9.1 This document will be reviewed and updated regularly in line with the Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement Framework. 10. Publication of this procedure 10.1 All relevant TAFE NSW Higher Education policy and procedure will be published on the TAFE NSW Higher Education web-site. Where appropriate it will be published in subject outlines, subject teaching guides and on the academic staff web-site. Version: 1 Page 6 of 6