UNIVERSITY LEARNING AND TEACHING COMMITTEE Learning, Teaching and Student Experience School/Department: School of Arts and Social Sciences UNIVERSITY AIM To provide an outstanding student experience informed by research and where appropriate, by professional practice, supported by excellent teaching, facilities and information infrastructures. Graduates will be enterprising, employable and able to make a powerful contribution to society, culture and the economy throughout the world. University Objectives 1. Development of the curriculum to ensure that all Northumbria students study on high quality programmes that are informed by research, practice, and pedagogy which lead to successful employment 2. Development and use of contemporary modes of teaching delivery and assessment practices to enhance the student learning experience and the determination of the high quality standards in an internationalised global learning environment 3. Development of our students to enable them to become effective lifelong learners by ensuring they acquire skills and qualities required for learning to enhance employability and global citizenship including the use of work based learning, employer engagement, volunteering and placement activity 4.. Development of suitable quality markers to ensure a constant review and increase in the quality of student recruitment and performance through increases in output measures such as progression, retention, degree classifications and student satisfaction 5. Development in the expertise of our staff in teaching and support to learning to ensure they have the skills to deliver an outstanding student experience, opportunities to enhance scholarly and research abilities to inform teaching, and enhanced career opportunities including recognition for excellence in learning and teaching. Revised 11 Feb
Revised 11 Feb University Objective Themes School/Dept Objective(s) KPI* Mapping 1 Development of the To develop further the quality, A, B, C, D, curriculum relevance and market share of all E SASS provision To implement UG Modern Foreign Language and English Language provision in line with recommendations from the Fundamental Review of Language provision (Implementation date 28 th March onwards) A, B, C, D, E School/Dept Actions Enhance mechanisms for iterative analysis of competitor sets and sector developments within the School s Registry / Executive Teams Support Departments with UG and PGT programme / curriculum review and action planning Further embed high quality research / practice informed teaching and learning at all levels of provision Undertake an internationalization audit of SASS provision and implement recommendations arising from it Implement recommendations arising from reviews of UG curriculum provision Revise mechanisms for annual programme review and development Validate four new Humanities with Languages programmes Implement embedded optional language provision across relevant SASS programmes Explore embedded language provision opportunities in programmes beyond SASS Explore opportunities for language provision at PGT levels Responsibility Executive Planning Manager ADInt HoDs ADInt Dean Target/ Dates Autumn 2
Revised 11 Feb 2 Development and use of contemporary modes of teaching delivery and assessment To review PGT curricula, structures, modes of delivery and assessment matrices in order to increase home and overseas recruitment To implement a structured approach to enhancing academic endeavour, good studentship, assessment for learning and employability on all UG programmes To increase the provision of high quality overseas collaborative working To develop contemporary mechanisms for learning provision that secures efficient delivery, widening participation and flexible learner engagement of programmes at home and overseas A, D, E Undertake a review of PGT framework and portfolio of programmes and implement recommendations arising from it Examine opportunities to develop Integrated masters programmes and implement them A, B, C, D, E Develop further PGT provision with NBS Embed outcomes of SASS Creating Futures project within each programme area Develop and implement where appropriate structured programme opportunities for student volunteering and placement provision Review study abroad and exchange provision E Secure relationship with Kaplan, Singapore for School programmes (Media) Pursue ongoing opportunities for further strategic partnerships, e.g. HELP, Malaysia Develop further opportunities for collaborative relationships in Taiwan, India, Caucasus, the Gulf, West Africa, Central Asia A, B, C Undertake delivery review including distance and blended learning developments Develop and implement high quality PGT distance learning and appropriate support structures in MA Mass Communications, MA TESOL, MA ADInt HoDs Autumn Spring 2012 3
Revised 11 Feb To ensure assessment as a tool for learning securing the quality, fairness, robustness and effectiveness of assessment practices at all levels of study Cultural Management and MPA Develop and implement high quality UG distance learning and appropriate support structures in BA Hons PSM Refine guidance on and standards for reading lists, electronic module handbooks (learning resources) and elearning portal usage Support further the implementation of new technologies in the production (digitization of materials, handbooks), delivery (wimba create, pebble pad, elearning portal) and reception (podcasts, video streaming and APPs) of programme and module materials Review the contribution and impact of specialist practitioner and employer engagement to student learning and satisfaction Introduce a pilot on timetabling at L4 to maximize student experiences and review timetabling rooms and facilities for PGT provision A, B, C Introduce Turnitin across all programmes at Level 4 Pilot electronic hand in, hand back and feedback on UG and PGT programmes Explore electronic marking opportunities Implement Electronic MEBs Move current electronic feedback provision from Colossus Junior to Assignment Handler in Social Sciences and Media Introduce anonymous marking across PLs Winter / Spring /12 4
Revised 11 Feb 3 Development of our students to enable them to become effective lifelong learners To develop further risk management of modules and programmes to ensure the safety and security of learners and the learning environment To ensure students acquire appropriate skills and qualities for employment To ensure appropriate induction and guidance arrangements for campus and distance delivery home and overseas students appropriate assessment tasks, and confirm mechanisms for marking and moderation where anonymous marking is impracticable Manage hand in and hand back dates and communicate them effectively across student cohorts Review moderation procedures including External Examiner engagement E Revise procedures for risk management of classroom and non-classroom based delivery including opportunities for work based learning, volunteering and placement activity D To implement outcomes of the Creating Futures project across programmes in each discipline area Explore structured opportunities for volunteering and placement provision in programmes as appropriate Support the development of an Alumni Action Plan with Departments A Develop and implement an Induction Action Plan for home UG and PGT students Develop and implement an International Induction and Student Learning Plan Revise procedures for guidance and wellbeing Develop and implement appropriate procedures and guidance for exchange and Erasmus students Develop opportunities for the internationalization of SASS culture and Technical Support Manager Resources ADInt Registrar 5
Revised 11 Feb 4 Development of suitable quality markers To ensure effective mechanisms are in place for student support and managing academic misconduct To address relevance, appropriateness, transparency and value added of all extra-curricular activity delivered in the School To monitor and manage effective procedures for the recruitment and enrolment to target of high quality UG and PGT home and overseas students estate A, B, C Revisit guidance arrangements and agree principles and procedures Refine PECs process with particular reference to late PECs Review Academic Misconduct arrangements so as to ensure their effective operationalisation Refine arrangements for attendance monitoring of UK and International students A, D Review all extra-curricular activity and develop guidelines on its delivery A, B, C Develop suite of high quality on-campus and online audio and digital taster sessions and masterclasses Develop and implement in Departments an Outreach Action Plan for SASS activity regionally and nationally Review and revise marketing and publicity methods and materials for UG and PGT home and overseas markets making effective use of digital technologies and online forums Revalidate the International Foundation Programme Review and revise mechanisms for the recruitment of UG non-traditional entrants Continue to closely monitor UG tariff points against sector and competitor sets and manage / increase as appropriate ADInt Registrar Dean External Relations Manager Autumn / Winter 6
Revised 11 Feb To increase levels of student satisfaction Further refine modelling of UG and PGT target numbers, especially in Arts and Media practice areas, to increase recruitment Secure SASS Executive engagement in NU decision making at confirmation and clearing A, D, E Effectively promote measures of student satisfaction including NSS, IBS, and internal programme and module evaluation Develop and implement School NSS Action Plan Enhance further the learning environment through the SASS Estates Action Plan Address programme organisation and management through staff development and communication plans Continue to embed research informed teaching across all core and option modules Ensure the effective administration of staff / student liaison committee meetings, programme committees Develop incentives for and manage student representation at programme and School level Align SASS with NU NSS Improvement Framework and International Student Barometer (ISB) Develop a responsive approach to you said, we did across levels and programmes and ensure reportage of HoDs PLs Executive Support Manager 7
Revised 11 Feb actions to close the loop To increase student performance B, C, E Develop mechanisms to flag possible withdrawals and implement timely intervention and support mechanisms Initiate and implement Creating Futures project across programmes in each discipline area with specific emphasis on academic endeavour at Level 4, feed forward at Level 5 and employability skills at Level 6 Develop further Deans lunches and supporting activities at Level 5 for high performing good award students Review progression, completion and good awards for International students Implement specific intervention in Social Sciences to address issue of good awards Develop Action Plan for the identification, intervention and resolution of problem areas Review provision of student awards and To ensure the effective administrative and management of quality assurance and review To further develop as appropriate links to professional bodies and employer organisations prizes for achievement and performance E Develop further the operation of SASS Registry and SASC to support Department and student QA and Enhancement activities D Continue to work closely with British Council Accreditation and secure excellence in Inspection Secure accreditation from the Broadcast HoDs PLs Registry Registry Executive Support Manager PLs Spring 2012 8
Revised 11 Feb 5 Development in the expertise of our staff in teaching and support to learning To review the organisation, storage and accessibility of all electronic T&L data files and information To develop mechanisms for regular communication on T&L beyond committee structures To further SASS provision of high quality T&L staff development opportunities To allow opportunities to promote and recognise excellence in learning, teaching and assessment Journalism Training Council E Clean up SASS L&T shared drives and ensure guidance and usability for School and Department colleagues A, B, C, D, E A, B, C, D, E A, B, C, D, E Introduce SASS T&L mentoring support for all new teaching staff Introduce monthly Programme Director Forum Introduce annual Programme Leader Away Day / Conference Full engagement of all full time, fractional and PT staff in Peer Support activities Introduce SASS induction programme for PT and VL in ember and January Devise and deliver Programme Leader training Deliver the SASS Professional Development in Higher Education (PDHE) training programme for all newly recruited staff Develop a suite of new technologies training courses Develop a seminar programme for T&L including invited guests and visits Introduce an online SASS induction and training programme for all PT and VL staff Enhance opportunities for pedagogic discussion at School and Department levels Increase HEA membership through the PDHE and bespoke training on HEA membership completion Registry ADAccDe v Dean HoDs Winter 9
Revised 11 Feb Develop opportunities through appraisal and management arrangements for structured support for applications for T&L Fellowship and T&L Professorial roles Increase the number of SASS staff on NU registers of T&L panels CVs, Validations, Academic Misconduct etc Develop a structured approach to research bidding around T&L with ADR& Explore opportunities for the development of a SASS Centre for Pedagogy *See list below 10
Revised 11 Feb Learning, Teaching and Student Experience - Performance Indicators A. Students satisfaction with their experience at Northumbria in the National Student Survey at rates above 90% on Question 22 (Overall Satisfaction) for all JACS code averages within 5 years B. Progression and completion rates above the expected benchmark calculated by the Higher Education Funding Council C. Continued improvement in the level of good awards achieved by Northumbria students D. Maintain undergraduate employment and graduate-level employment rates, relative to the sector median and above economic recession norms. E. Positive outcomes from Institutional Quality Surveys or Audits (e.g. Ofsted, QAA institutional Review etc) 11