Quality Assurance in the UK
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Transcript of Quality Assurance in the UK
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Quality Assurance in the UK
Stephen RyrieAssociate Dean (Quality Assurance),
University of the West of EnglandBristol, UK
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
The University of the West of England, Bristol
In the city of Bristol
200 km from London
One of the largest universities in the UK
www.uwe.ac.uk
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Why Me?
Institutional Auditor for the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
Have participated in Quality Audits for UK universities
Have helped to lead preparation for UWE’s own Quality Audit
Dr Stephen RyrieUniversity of the West of [email protected]
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Quality is ...?
High academic standards?
Well-qualified teachers?
All seats on a course filled?
Income greater than expenditure?
Clean and comfortable student hostels?
All graduates finding good placements?
…. ?
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Quality is ...?
The UK definition is:
Confidence in the academic standards achieved by students
Confidence in the quality of teaching and learning experienced by students
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
We won’t have “quality” unless…
We distinguish between Inputs and Outputs
We encourage critical reflection and confident questioning
We establish “quality loops” in which all staff play a part
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Inputs and Outputs
‘Inputs’ are items directly provided by the university: E.g. classrooms, teachers, computer labs, student
hostels, library books, etc. Can usually be increased quickly (by spending
more money!)
‘Outputs’ are the university’s products: Graduates, research papers, etc. Usually can be improved only slowly and
indirectly
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Inputs and Outputs
Inputs: Are not measures of quality, … … but they are often wrongly regarded as such
(because they are easy to count)
Outputs: May be used to measure quality… … but it is often hard to do so, because… … they provide evidence which is often intangible
or contradictory
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Critical Reflection, Confident Questioning
What is the Quality of our university’s Outputs? This is the crucial question, but it is a hard one to
answer!
Needs considered reflection … … willingness to gather and to question evidence … teamwork with colleagues … … willingness to listen to subordinates… … confidence to tell your boss he/she is wrong… … an open-minded and questioning approach
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Quality Loops
Processes which allow issues affecting quality to be identified
Annual reports on standards achieved
Consideration of reports by management, to identify problems and implement solutions
Report again next year on whether the solution has worked – closing the loop!
Peer review is vital Ensures all staff feel responsibility for quality Makes use of the wisdom of the more experienced and
gives confidence to the less experienced
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Quality Loops
In my university we have ‘Quality Loops’ for:
Annual Monitoring and Evaluation of all courses and programmes
Approval of new modules and changes to existing modules
Approval of new programmes and changes to existing programmes
Nomination of new external examiners Consideration of external examiners’ reports Peer Observation of teaching
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
A year in the life of a lecturer
In the course of a year, a lecturer would: Write a review of each course taught, containing an
“action plan” for any desirable changes Write exam papers and have them reviewed by
another member of staff Review exam papers set by others Second-mark exam papers on another course Have 2 lectures observed by another lecturer, and
observe another’s lectures, with constructive criticism afterwards
Participate in decision-making discussions about proposals to change courses or introduce new courses
Be a member of a committee developing new teaching methods
(every 5 years) participate in a major review of all courses in the department
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Focus on External Examiners
The External Examiner: Inspects and approves exam
papers, and may require changes
Selects a sample of scripts and checks the marking
Attends the meeting of the exam board and approves its decisions
Writes an Annual Report on: quality of assessment
procedures standard of student work whether last year’s actions
have been fulfilled
The Department:
Writes exam papers
Marks exam scripts (a sample is marked twice)
Presents all marks at the annual meeting of the Exam Board, which decides on Pass / Fail for each student
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Focus on External Examiners
The External Examiner:
Receives the summary of actions and notes matters which need to be checked again next year
The Department:
The Course Leader receives the EE’s Report and discusses its content with other teachers
Teachers agree what actions are required to meet issues in the EE’s report, and make recommendations for action to management
Management agree actions, and arrange for implementation
Head of Department writes to EE with summary of actions being undertaken
University of the West of England, Bristol www.uwe.ac.uk
www.uwe.ac.ukUniversity of the
West of England
Thank you for listening.
www.uwe.ac.uk