1 analysis of academic policies as mechanisms for the management of the core functions of a higher...
TRANSCRIPT
1
ANALYSIS OF ACADEMIC POLICIES ANALYSIS OF ACADEMIC POLICIES AS MECHANISMS FOR THE AS MECHANISMS FOR THE
MANAGEMENT OF THE CORE MANAGEMENT OF THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF A HIGHER FUNCTIONS OF A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONEDUCATION INSTITUTION
HOS529HOS52920122012
Dr Somarie HoltzhausenDr Somarie Holtzhausen
2
OverviewOverview
• Why quality assurance?Why quality assurance?• Policies, mechanisms, procedures and Policies, mechanisms, procedures and
plansplans• Different institutional quality assurance Different institutional quality assurance
mechanismsmechanisms• Institutional quality arrangements/focusInstitutional quality arrangements/focus• Quality management frameworkQuality management framework• Group task & exerciseGroup task & exercise
3
Quality qualificationsQuality qualifications
KnowledgeKnowledge
SkillsSkills
EmployabilityEmployability
4
Why quality assurance?Why quality assurance?
Institutional policies, systems, processes, plans and Institutional policies, systems, processes, plans and activities for the quality management of core functionsactivities for the quality management of core functions
Quality Quality assuranceassurance
Quality Quality supportsupport
Quality Quality development & development & enhancementenhancement
Quality Quality monitoringmonitoring
5
What should we quality assure?What should we quality assure?
Core functionsCore functions• Teaching and learningTeaching and learning
– Programme planning, development and Programme planning, development and approvalapproval
– Assessment, management of assessment and Assessment, management of assessment and moderationmoderation
– Recognition of prior learningRecognition of prior learning– Postgraduate education Postgraduate education – Self-evaluation of programmesSelf-evaluation of programmes– E-learningE-learning– Distance learningDistance learning
• Research (including development of Research (including development of research)research)
• Community service/engagementCommunity service/engagement
6
What should we quality assure?What should we quality assure?
Also a need to quality assure:Also a need to quality assure:Support servicesSupport services• Academic supportAcademic support• Student accessStudent access• Academic student servicesAcademic student services• Student services Student services • Human resources Human resources
– Staff selectionStaff selection– Staff developmentStaff development
• Financial resourcesFinancial resources• Physical resourcesPhysical resources• Management informationManagement information
7
QA Mechanisms: PoliciesQA Mechanisms: Policies
A university policy:A university policy:• Establishes key principles that have university-wide and long-term Establishes key principles that have university-wide and long-term
applicationapplication• Establish a consistent institutional approach to activities, e.g.:Establish a consistent institutional approach to activities, e.g.:
– Academic mattersAcademic matters– management and administration mattersmanagement and administration matters– staff mattersstaff matters– Financial managementFinancial management– Physical infrastructurePhysical infrastructure
• Expresses the university’s official position on a particular issueExpresses the university’s official position on a particular issue• Provides guidance to staff & students in responding to a situationProvides guidance to staff & students in responding to a situation• Is approved by Executive/Senate/BoardIs approved by Executive/Senate/Board• Binding to all staff and studentsBinding to all staff and students• In some cases it will stand aloneIn some cases it will stand alone
Often elaborated in:Often elaborated in:– ProceduresProcedures– Guidelines (to ensure consistency of application)Guidelines (to ensure consistency of application)
8
QA mechanisms: Policies …QA mechanisms: Policies …
A policy is:A policy is:• Directive in styleDirective in style• Should clearly define the coarse of actionShould clearly define the coarse of action• Should be written as if approved: words such Should be written as if approved: words such
as “will”, “shall” or “is” are appropriateas “will”, “shall” or “is” are appropriate• Should be clear and conciseShould be clear and concise• Historical background or explanations of Historical background or explanations of
research methodology should not be includedresearch methodology should not be included• Should be accessible to all staff, e.g. on Should be accessible to all staff, e.g. on
institutional websiteinstitutional website
9
QA Mechanisms: Strategic QA Mechanisms: Strategic PlansPlans
Strategic plans are designed to communicate Strategic plans are designed to communicate and prioritise university activities:and prioritise university activities:
• Have status of a university policyHave status of a university policy• They are statements of intended actions with They are statements of intended actions with
implementation planningimplementation planning• Require management endorsementRequire management endorsement• Are usually strategic and temporal in nature Are usually strategic and temporal in nature
(reason why not a policy statement)(reason why not a policy statement)
10
QA Mechanisms: Policies …QA Mechanisms: Policies …
Once approved:Once approved:• Policy should be implemented or actionedPolicy should be implemented or actioned• Implementation can take many forms:Implementation can take many forms:
– Awareness raisingAwareness raising– Taking actionTaking action– Changing existing procedures or activitiesChanging existing procedures or activities
• Implementation and action plans may be Implementation and action plans may be developed in association with the policy to developed in association with the policy to specify:specify:– DirectionDirection– Need for procedures/guidelinesNeed for procedures/guidelines
11
QA Mechanisms: RegulationsQA Mechanisms: Regulations
The rules accepted by the institution to The rules accepted by the institution to manage the institutional activities, e.g.:manage the institutional activities, e.g.:
• General regulations for first qualificationsGeneral regulations for first qualifications• General regulations for post-graduate General regulations for post-graduate
qualificationsqualifications • Admission RegulationsAdmission Regulations• Regulations for the SenateRegulations for the Senate• Regulations for Faculty BoardsRegulations for Faculty Boards
12
QA Mechanisms: ProceduresQA Mechanisms: Procedures
While a policy statement will set a broad While a policy statement will set a broad commitment, a commitment, a procedures procedures provide:provide:
• The detail or “working out” of the The detail or “working out” of the commitmentcommitment
• Give effect to the policy Give effect to the policy
• Process for implementationProcess for implementation
13
QA Mechanisms: GuidelinesQA Mechanisms: Guidelines
Guidelines are non-buiding statements:Guidelines are non-buiding statements:• Suggest approaches for implementationSuggest approaches for implementation• Aim is to establish a regulatory framework Aim is to establish a regulatory framework
within which the policy may be applied, for:within which the policy may be applied, for:– ConsistancyConsistancy– In accordance to best practiceIn accordance to best practice
• Flexible to provide for necessary diversity of Flexible to provide for necessary diversity of practice, or complement existing decision-practice, or complement existing decision-making or resource allocationmaking or resource allocation
• Contents of guidelines will identify the level of Contents of guidelines will identify the level of approval necessaryapproval necessary
14
QA Mechanisms: QA Mechanisms: Implementation or action plansImplementation or action plans
Implementation and action plans are not Implementation and action plans are not policies in their own right. They state:policies in their own right. They state:
• The process for implementation or action The process for implementation or action arising from a new policyarising from a new policy
• Should allocate:Should allocate:– Responsibility for certain actionsResponsibility for certain actions– Performance indicatorsPerformance indicators– Specify target dates for completionSpecify target dates for completion
15
• Quality assuranceQuality assurance:: The policies, structures and The policies, structures and strategies used by the institution to satisfy itself that its strategies used by the institution to satisfy itself that its quality requirements are being met.quality requirements are being met.
• Quality supportQuality support:: The policies, structures and strategies The policies, structures and strategies used by the institution to support existing levels of quality.used by the institution to support existing levels of quality.
• Quality development and enhancement:Quality development and enhancement: The The policies, structures and strategies used by the institution to policies, structures and strategies used by the institution to develop and enhance quality.develop and enhance quality.
• Quality monitoring:Quality monitoring: The policies, structures and The policies, structures and strategies used by the institution to monitor, evaluate and strategies used by the institution to monitor, evaluate and act on quality issues.act on quality issues.
Quality management arrangementsQuality management arrangements
16
• Input : Input : Quality assurance, quality support, quality Quality assurance, quality support, quality development and enhancement, and quality monitoringdevelopment and enhancement, and quality monitoring
• Process: Process: Quality assurance, quality support, quality Quality assurance, quality support, quality development and enhancement, and quality monitoringdevelopment and enhancement, and quality monitoring
• Output: Output: Quality assurance, quality support, quality Quality assurance, quality support, quality development and enhancement, and quality monitoringdevelopment and enhancement, and quality monitoring
• Impact: Impact: Quality assurance, quality support, quality Quality assurance, quality support, quality development and enhancement, and quality monitoringdevelopment and enhancement, and quality monitoring
Quality management focusQuality management focus
17
Quality management Quality management frameworkframework
Input
Output
Process
Impact
Quality Quality management management
focusfocus
18
Quality management Quality management frameworkframework
Input
Output
Process
Impact
Quality assuranceQuality
monitoringQuality
developmentQuality support
Quality management Quality management arrangementsarrangements
19
Quality management frameworkQuality management framework
Input
Information and evidence on the processes for academic and other support used by the institution to support
existing levels of quality.
Output
Information and evidence on the processes used
by the institution to develop students and
staff to enhance quality.
Information and evidence on the processes used by the institution to
monitor, evaluate benchmark and acton quality issues.
Evidence of the quality support provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Evidence of the development of students
and staff to enhance quality.
Process
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to develop
and enhance quality.
The policies, structures
and strategies
used by the institution
to support existing levels
of quality.
Evidence and data on the impact of the
activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
Evidence of the impact that the development of
students and staff enhance quality.
Evidence of the impact of the quality support
provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Impact
Evidence and data of the activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and act on quality issues.
Policies, systems, strategies and
resources used by the institution to
satisfy itself that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality assurance
Evidence of the impact identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfied the quality requirements.
Evidence of the outputs identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfy the quality requirements.
Information and evidence on the process used by the institution to satisfy itself
that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality monitoring
Quality development
Quality support
20
Quality management frameworkQuality management framework
Input
Information and evidence on the processes for academic and other support used by the institution to support
existing levels of quality.
Output
Information and evidence on the processes used
by the institution to develop students and
staff to enhance quality.
Information and evidence on the processes used by the institution to
monitor, evaluate benchmark and acton quality issues.
Evidence of the quality support provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Evidence of the development of students
and staff to enhance quality.
Process
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to develop
and enhance quality.
The policies, structures
and strategies
used by the institution
to support existing levels
of quality.
Evidence and data on the impact of the
activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
Evidence of the impact that the development of
students and staff enhance quality.
Evidence of the impact of the quality support
provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Impact
Evidence and data of the activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and act on quality issues.
Policies, systems, strategies and
resources used by the institution to
satisfy itself that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality assurance
Evidence of the impact identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfied the quality requirements.
Evidence of the outputs identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfy the quality requirements.
Information and evidence on the process used by the institution to satisfy itself
that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality monitoring
Quality development
Quality support
Policies, systems, Policies, systems, strategies and strategies and
resources used byresources used by the institution to the institution to
satisfy itself that its quality satisfy itself that its quality requirements and standardsrequirements and standards
are metare met
21
Quality management frameworkQuality management framework
Input
Information and evidence on the processes for academic and other support used by the institution to support
existing levels of quality.
Output
Information and evidence on the processes used
by the institution to develop students and
staff to enhance quality.
Information and evidence on the processes used by the institution to
monitor, evaluate benchmark and acton quality issues.
Evidence of the quality support provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Evidence of the development of students
and staff to enhance quality.
Process
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to develop
and enhance quality.
The policies, structures
and strategies
used by the institution
to support existing levels
of quality.
Evidence and data on the impact of the
activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
Evidence of the impact that the development of
students and staff enhance quality.
Evidence of the impact of the quality support
provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Impact
Evidence and data of the activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and act on quality issues.
Policies, systems, strategies and
resources used by the institution to
satisfy itself that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality assurance
Evidence of the impact identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfied the quality requirements.
Evidence of the outputs identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfy the quality requirements.
Information and evidence on the process used by the institution to satisfy itself
that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality monitoring
Quality development
Quality support
The policies, structures The policies, structures and strategies and strategies
used by the institutionused by the institution to support existing levelsto support existing levels
of qualityof quality
22
Quality management frameworkQuality management framework
Input
Information and evidence on the processes for academic and other support used by the institution to support
existing levels of quality.
Output
Information and evidence on the processes used
by the institution to develop students and
staff to enhance quality.
Information and evidence on the processes used by the institution to
monitor, evaluate benchmark and acton quality issues.
Evidence of the quality support provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Evidence of the development of students
and staff to enhance quality.
Process
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to develop
and enhance quality.
The policies, structures
and strategies
used by the institution
to support existing levels
of quality.
Evidence and data on the impact of the
activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
Evidence of the impact that the development of
students and staff enhance quality.
Evidence of the impact of the quality support
provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Impact
Evidence and data of the activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and act on quality issues.
Policies, systems, strategies and
resources used by the institution to
satisfy itself that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality assurance
Evidence of the impact identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfied the quality requirements.
Evidence of the outputs identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfy the quality requirements.
Information and evidence on the process used by the institution to satisfy itself
that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality monitoring
Quality development
Quality support
The policies, structures and strategies used by
the institution to develop and enhance quality
23
Quality management frameworkQuality management framework
Input
Information and evidence on the processes for academic and other support used by the institution to support
existing levels of quality.
Output
Information and evidence on the processes used
by the institution to develop students and
staff to enhance quality.
Information and evidence on the processes used by the institution to
monitor, evaluate benchmark and acton quality issues.
Evidence of the quality support provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Evidence of the development of students
and staff to enhance quality.
Process
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
The policies, structures
and strategies used by
the institution to develop
and enhance quality.
The policies, structures
and strategies
used by the institution
to support existing levels
of quality.
Evidence and data on the impact of the
activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and
act on quality issues.
Evidence of the impact that the development of
students and staff enhance quality.
Evidence of the impact of the quality support
provided by the institution to support the
activities.
Impact
Evidence and data of the activities utilised by the institution to monitor,
evaluate, benchmark and act on quality issues.
Policies, systems, strategies and
resources used by the institution to
satisfy itself that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality assurance
Evidence of the impact identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfied the quality requirements.
Evidence of the outputs identifying that the quality
assurance mechanisms/system/process
satisfy the quality requirements.
Information and evidence on the process used by the institution to satisfy itself
that its quality requirements and standards
are met.
Quality monitoring
Quality development
Quality support
The policies, structuresThe policies, structures and strategies used byand strategies used by
the institution to the institution to monitor, monitor,
evaluate and act on evaluate and act on quality issuesquality issues
24
Group TaskGroup Task
Your group is responsible for the policy Your group is responsible for the policy development to drive and manage the development to drive and manage the quality assurance of your institution. quality assurance of your institution. Identify the different mechanisms Identify the different mechanisms necessary to manage the necessary to manage the teaching and teaching and learninglearning activities of your institution. activities of your institution.
25
Quality Teaching & LearningQuality Teaching & Learning
• Programmes, modulesProgrammes, modulesDesignDesign
• Relation to the institutions mission and planningRelation to the institutions mission and planning• Needs of students and other stakeholdersNeeds of students and other stakeholders• Needs of professional and vocational educationNeeds of professional and vocational education• CoherenceCoherence• ArticulationArticulation• Learning materials developmentLearning materials development
26
Quality Teaching & Learning …Quality Teaching & Learning …
Student accessStudent access• RecruitmentRecruitment• Widening accessWidening access• EquityEquity• Assumptions of learningAssumptions of learning• Professional needsProfessional needs• Capacity of programme to offer quality educationCapacity of programme to offer quality education• Recognition of prior learningRecognition of prior learning• Bridging programmesBridging programmes
27
Quality Teaching & LearningQuality Teaching & Learning … …
StaffingStaffing• QualificationsQualifications• Teaching experienceTeaching experience• Assessment competenceAssessment competence• Research profileResearch profile• Staff developmentStaff development• SenioritySeniority• Full-time and part-time staffFull-time and part-time staff• Conditions of service, contractual agreementsConditions of service, contractual agreements• Procedures for selection, appointment, induction Procedures for selection, appointment, induction
and paymentand payment• Administrative and technical staffAdministrative and technical staff
28
Quality Teaching & LearningQuality Teaching & Learning … …
Teaching & learning strategyTeaching & learning strategy• Importance of promotion of student learningImportance of promotion of student learning• Teaching and learning methodsTeaching and learning methods• Modes of delivery & student compositionModes of delivery & student composition• Appropriate teaching and learning methodsAppropriate teaching and learning methods• Upgrading of teaching methodsUpgrading of teaching methods• Targets, implementation plans, ways to monitor, Targets, implementation plans, ways to monitor,
evaluate impact and effect of improvementevaluate impact and effect of improvement• Guidance to students on programme integration Guidance to students on programme integration
and outcomesand outcomes• Student interactions (input and participation)Student interactions (input and participation)
29
Quality TeachingQuality Teaching & Learning& Learning … …
Student assessmentStudent assessment• Integral part of the teaching and learningIntegral part of the teaching and learning• Internal (& external) assessmentInternal (& external) assessment• Internal and external moderationInternal and external moderation• Monitoring of student progressMonitoring of student progress• Validity and reliability of assessmentValidity and reliability of assessment• Rigour of the assessmentRigour of the assessment• Recording of resultsRecording of results• Security Security
30
Quality Teaching & LearningQuality Teaching & Learning … …
Academic development for student successAcademic development for student success• Student and staff developmentStudent and staff development• Curriculum developmentCurriculum development• Additional student academic supportAdditional student academic support
31
Quality Teaching & LearningQuality Teaching & Learning … …Programme administrationProgramme administration
• Validation of student informationValidation of student information• Identification of non-active and at-risk studentsIdentification of non-active and at-risk students• Dealing with a diverse student populationDealing with a diverse student population• Ensuring the security of marksEnsuring the security of marks• Ensuring the integrity of certification Ensuring the integrity of certification
(implementation of policies)(implementation of policies)
32
Quality Teaching and learning…Quality Teaching and learning…
Infrastructure and library resourcesInfrastructure and library resources• VenuesVenues• Size and scope of library resourcesSize and scope of library resources• Integration of library resources in curriculumIntegration of library resources in curriculum• Management and maintenance of library Management and maintenance of library
resourcesresources• Library support and access to studentsLibrary support and access to students• IT infrastructure and trainingIT infrastructure and training
33
Group TaskGroup Task
Your group is responsible for the policy Your group is responsible for the policy development to drive and manage the development to drive and manage the quality assurance of your institution. quality assurance of your institution. Identify the different mechanisms Identify the different mechanisms necessary to manage the necessary to manage the teaching and teaching and learninglearning activities of your institution. activities of your institution.
34
Policies and other QA mechanisms assist the Policies and other QA mechanisms assist the institution in: institution in:
• Providing guidance with regard to the execution of Providing guidance with regard to the execution of actions;actions;
• Provide a framework as to the manner in which actions Provide a framework as to the manner in which actions are to be executed;are to be executed;
• Ensuring consistency in the performance of activities;Ensuring consistency in the performance of activities;• Ensuring compliance with legal and other requirements Ensuring compliance with legal and other requirements
of the organisation;of the organisation;• Serves as a tool for quality improvement within the Serves as a tool for quality improvement within the
organisation.organisation.
Institutional PoliciesInstitutional Policies
35
Quality assurance is an Quality assurance is an institutional journey for the institutional journey for the whole institution, but you whole institution, but you
need a proper vehicle and need a proper vehicle and committed drivers!committed drivers!
