ADT-07-17-03
Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy 2006/07 – 2008/09
Action Plan 2006-07
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Staffordshire Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy – Action Plan 2006-07
Theme
Outcome
1. Curriculum Innovation and Development
Output Targets
By when
By whom
1.1 To provide substantially
increased opportunities for flexible
delivery and assessment of learning
in terms of place, pace and mode of
study
1.1.1 To develop and embed appropriate structures
that will facilitate flexible delivery in all Faculties,
based on the experience gained from delivering the
HEFCE-funded Flexible Learning Pathfinder project
Review of first year of project. Confirm
year 2 projects
Dec 2006
Head of
ADI/Pathfinder
Project manager
Workshops to disseminate year 1
outcomes
Jan/Feb 2007
1.1.2 To develop and implement an appropriate
framework that will result in a substantial increase in
the amount of work place learning being delivered
and position the University to become a market
leader in this area
Establishment of a central unit to
support the employer engagement /WBL
agenda
January
2006
Director of ECD/
DVC
Appointment of a Learning Through
Work Manager
Feb/March
2007
1.1.3 To build on the existing initiatives resulting from
the principles established in the University e-Learning
Policy by increasing the extent to which e-learning is
embedded in learning and teaching practice and
award delivery
Deliver and evaluate the recently
accredited e-learning staff development
modules: Embedding e-learning;
Designing for e-learning and the new 30
credit module: Designing and facilitating
e-learning
Ongoing
2006/2007
Director of
ECD/Head of
ADI
Director IS
1.1.4 To exploit the outcomes of the University’s
commitment to the HEA/JISC e-learning
benchmarking project and ensure ongoing
measurement of the quality and effectiveness of
institutional support and delivery through similar
methods of evaluation.
Consider a bid for Phase 2
December
2006
Director IS/Head
of ADI
Undertake a repeat benchmarking
assessment process and evaluate
improvements
June/July
2007
Director of IS
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1.2 To provide an institutional
framework that encourages and
facilitates innovative curriculum
development and delivery
1.3 To provide learning
opportunities that provide a quality
experience for our international
students and prepares UK-based
students for participation in an
increasingly interdependent world
1.4 To ensure high quality provision
and sound standards whilst seeking
continuous improvement
1.2.1 To implement as a key component of the new
planning cycle a portfolio review process that will
encourage and facilitate innovative and demand –led
award development
Decision made on the new planning
cycle a portfolio review process
January 2006
DVC/ALT
1.2.2 To implement a revised academic calendar that
will be responsive to the demands of our client base
and to facilitate curriculum innovation
Options considered re academic
calendar and decision made for 2007/08
Dec 2006
ADT/ALT
1.2.3 To ensure that future curriculum developments
reflect employer engagement and changes taking
place in 14-19 qualifications
To run a series of University events to
raise awareness of the 14-19 Specialist
Diplomas so that relevant University
awards are planned effectively
To develop and implement a strategy for
employer engagement re 14-19
July 2007
Director of
Educational
Partnerships
July 2007
Director of
Educational
Partnerships
1.3.1 To establish an ‘Internationalisation of the
Curriculum’ task force
Establishment of an ‘Internationalisation
of the Curriculum’ task force to take
forward the on-campus
internationalisation agenda in particular
February
2007
Director of the
International
Office/Head of
ADI
1.3.2 To provide Staffordshire University students
with increased opportunities to study overseas
To review existing opportunities and
propose future strategy
April 2007
Director of the
International
Office/Head of
ADI/Deans
1.3.3 To develop an appreciation of diverse cultures
and cross-cultural attitudes amongst staff and
students
Delivery of three staff development
events
July 2007
International
Office/Centre for
Professional
Development
1.4.1 To ensure that our quality assurance processes
will satisfy both internal and external stake holders
that the whole range of provision is of the highest
possible quality
Identification of a specific QA process to
be reviewed annually
July 2006
Director of
QIS/QDC
1.4.2 To ensure that quality assurance processes are
Introduction of enhancement theme on a
July 2006
Faculties/QDC/
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enhancement – led and that continuous improvement
is fostered and supported
biennial basis. First theme assessment
1.4.3 To continue to retain quality while streamlining
the quality assurance of e-learning through the
development of appropriate institutionally approved
pedagogic models
Continuing implementation of the
“models for e-learning” project
Completion
by June 2007
Director of IS
Consider additional work based
outcomes of the project to date
March 2007
Head of
ADI/Director of
IS
2.1.1 To review and evaluate the impact of the
current Retention Strategy
The Retention Strategy will be reviewed
on an annual basis
July 2007
Dean of
Students
2.1.2 To ensure, with specific reference to the First
Year Experience, that all students are provided with
effective and appropriate opportunities to make the
transition to the higher education
A new Welcome Semester programme
of activities devised for 2006/07 which
will extend the current Welcome Week
into the first semester. A similar
programme is being implemented for
new students starting in semester 2 for
2006/07.
September
2006
Dean of
Students
The whole programme will be reviewed
for 2007/08 when the results of the
Student Viewfinder Survey 2007 are
available and have been evaluated.
July 2007
Dean of
Students
2.1.3 To ensure that the revised Personal Tutor
policy is fully implemented in Faculties
An evaluation of the PT policy will be
undertaken in 2006/07 and a report
prepared for the Student Retention
Strategy Group.
July 2007
Dean of
Students
2.1.4 To utilise the outputs from the National Student
Survey and the University’s Student Satisfaction
Survey to improve the learning experience of
students
The Academic Leadership Team will
initially receive the results of the
National Student Survey and the
University’s Student Satisfaction Survey
2007 at the end of the 2006/07
July 2007
Dean of
Students
LTEC
2. Supporting Student Learning and Success
2.1 To provide all students with
appropriate systematic support so as
to maximise their chances of
successfully completing their course
of study
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academic year and will agree key areas
for improvement for each Faculty and
Service
2.2 To provide high quality and
timely support for an increasingly
diverse student body
2.3 To provide enhanced
opportunities to support the
development of student employability
and learning skills
2.2.1 To ensure that learning, teaching and
assessment methods are inclusive, taking into
account the needs of students from different cultural
backgrounds
To be taken forward as part of the
‘Internationalising the Curriculum’
project (see 1.3.1)
July 2007
Head of
ADI/Director of
International
Office
2.2.2 To ensure that the learning and teaching
provisions of the University Disability Equality
Scheme and action plan are fully implemented across
the University
Implementation of the relevant actions in
the University Disability Equality
Scheme
Ongoing in
2007
Dean of
Students/Head
of ADI
2.2.3 To ensure that all staff involved in facilitating
student learning are provided with information and
guidance about inclusive teaching practices
Delivery of staff development events
providing guidance on inclusive teaching
practices
July 2007
Head of
CPD/Head of
ADI
2.2.4 To develop further the support for part time, off
campus and distance learning students
To be added
2.2.4 To support the development of the staff and
student portal as a communication tool and over time
to ensure this will become the personalised single
point of access to information, learning environments
and repositories
To be added
2.3.1 To ensure that the opportunities available to
develop and enhance employability and career
management skills are appropriate to the needs of
our students
To review the currency and impact of
the Student Employability Policy
June 2007
Director of
Employability
and Student
Support
2.3.2 To implement Personal Development Planning
in all awards according to agreed timescales
Adoption of the eportfolio software
PebblePad and phase 1roll out across
the University
Delivery of first phase of the Information
Literacy Implementation plan
July 2007
Director of IS
2.3.3 To develop and implement an Information
Literacy strategy and policy that will enable
Staffordshire University students to develop the skills
of independent information searching, evaluation and
Director of
IS/Deans of
Faculties
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utilisation using all available sources of information
and appropriate technologies
2.4 To ensure that assessment
practices provide effective
opportunities for the support of
student learning
2.3.4 To establish a central facility to provide
enhanced opportunities for student academic skills
support
Funding allocated from TQEF.
Determine ToR and locations.
Appointment of staff
Director of
Employability
and Student
Support/Head of
ADI
2.4.1 To undertake a review of assessment practices
across the University including a focus on the balance
between summative assessment and formative
assessment/feedback
Review will take place as part
Enhancement Theme during 2006/07
July 2007
Head of ADI
2.4.2 Investigate how best to deter/combat
plagiarism by students and to ensure that good
practice is disseminated widely
Establishment of Plagiarism Working
Group of LTEC. Production of report
and recommendations
June 2007
Head of ADI
3.1.1 To formalise policies to support the
development of learning and teaching
Induction Enhancement Initiative
introduced
Jan 2007
Head of the
Centre for
Professional
Development
3.1.2 To ensure that all staff involved in the
teaching/facilitation of student learning have access
to accredited programmes to support their
development
New Lecturer Development Policy
monitored throughout 1 academic year
July 2007
Head of CPD
Benchmark targets on all lecturer
development and e-learning courses set
July 2007
3.1.3 To provide flexible delivery of accredited
programmes by utilising blended learning approaches
Uptake of e-learning modules
(Embedding Learning Technology and
Designing for e-learning increased.
July 2007
Guidance on blended learning
introduced and disseminated
July 2007
3. Enhancing and Developing Teaching
3.1 To provide high quality
structured professional
development opportunities for all
staff involved in teaching and the
support of student learning
Head of CPD
Head of CPD
Head of CPD
Head of CPD
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3.1.4 To develop a framework of accredited CPD
courses working as pilot with the Higher Education
Academy
Diploma in Higher and Professional
Education validated
July 2007
3.1.5 To ensure that all staff involved in teaching HE
in FE are supported in their development by
formalising the programme of CPD opportunities for
Associate Lecturers in SURF colleges
3.1.6 To provide regular staff development briefings
and workshops to address key learning and teaching
priorities
Teaching HE in FE module developed
and validated
July 2007
Infill onto existing programmes
advertised
Jan 2007
Range of in-Faculty briefings expanded
July 2007
3 Learning and Teaching conferences
delivered
Appraisal system reviewed to facilitate
alignment with HE Academy standards
June 2007
July 2007
Head of CPD
Faculty based bespoke peer observation
workshops delivered
Dec 2006
Head of CPD
Faculty POT reports and summary
report produced
Dec 2006
Head of CPD
3.2.3 To encourage a critically reflective approach to
own development in order to improve the student
learning experience
Reflective practice processes
incorporated into new appraisal process
July 2007
Head of CPD
3.2.4 To embed further the development of learning
and teaching within discipline specific contexts
Faculty based Teaching Development
advisors appointed
Dec 2006
Head of CPD
3.3.1 Ensuring that all Faculties, appropriate
Services and partner colleges are actively engaged in
the University Learning and Teaching Fellowship
Scheme
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Oct 2006
Head of CPD
Jan 2007
Head of CPD/
Head of ADI
Head of CPD
Head of CPD
Head of CPD
Head of CPD
3.2 To provide appropriate
opportunities for staff involved in
teaching and the support of
student learning to reflect on and
enhance their professional
practice
3.3 To recognise and reward
excellence in teaching/facilitation
of student learning
3.2.1 To develop further the appraisal process
through the incorporation of HE Academy teaching
standards
3.2.2 To provide an effective Peer Observation
programme and to monitor on an annual basis the
faculty application of the Peer Observation Policy
Fellowship guidance workshops
delivered
Maximum of 9 new Fellows appointed
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3.3.2 To develop the community of Learning and
Teaching Fellows by ensuring that they are active
champions of learning, teaching and assessment
practices within their Faculties/Services and across
the University
Existing Fellows consulted with to
ascertain preferred method of
networking
Dec 2006
Head of CPD
‘Innovation and Excellence’ exhibitions
and/or presentations displayed
July 2007
Head of CPD
3.3.3 To sustain the support for the National
Teaching Fellowship Scheme and to review the
University scheme in the context of the revised NTFS
Fellowship scheme updated to align with
the needs of the University and/or the
direction of the National scheme
July 2007
Head of CPD
3.3.4 To allocate mentoring responsibilities to staff
who are excellent practitioners in learning and
teaching
Mentoring responsibilities reviewed and
reallocated
Dec 2006
Head of CPD
3.3.5 To facilitate the secondment of high performing
staff onto specialist projects
Process to be determined
3.3.6 To explore how, within the context of the
National Pay Framework, achievement in teaching
and /or the facilitation of learning could be included in
the awarding of accelerated progression or
contribution payments
To identify the means by which
achievement in teaching and /or the
facilitation of learning could be included
in the awarding of accelerated
progression or contribution payments
April 2006??
Director of
Personnel/Head
of ADI
4.1.1 To develop and implement a University
strategy and action plan for RiT
Production of University Strategy
This activity will be supported by
appointment of Visiting Professor.
June 2007
Head of ADI
To fund 6Faculty/School
interdisciplinary projects to develop a
themed enquiry-based learning module.
Each Faculty to establish an appropriate
dissemination strategy – Phase 1:
Creation of project teams in Faculties
and development of module structure
September
2007
Deans/ Head of
ADI
4. Research Informed Teaching
4.1 To identify how Staffordshire
University defines and implements
the research informed teaching nexus
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and content
Funded Projects focused on subjectbased RiT development
September
2007
Deans/Head of
ADI
To analyse methods of implementing the
RiT nexus and compare performance in
nominated areas - Establish the
partnership and areas for comparison. 2
development workshops
Staff Conferences/workshops
Development of Web site
September
2007
Head of
ADI/Director
IEPR
June 2007
Head of
ADI/Head of
CPD
4.3.2 To establish an annual undergraduate
conference to provide students with an opportunity to
present and showcase the outcomes of their
research projects
Student Conference
June 2007
Head of
ADI/Deans
4.4.1 Utilising the expertise of the University-based
Institute for Education Policy Research to ensure that
appropriate evaluation takes place
Phase 1 of the following projects:
September
2007
Head of
ADI/Director
IEPR
July 2007
Director of
Educational
Partnerships
4.1.2 To participate in a benchmarking project with
University of Gloucester to analyse methods of
implementing the RiT nexus
4.3 To disseminate and celebrate
both staff and student success
stories in the area of RiT
4.4 To ensure that RiT initiatives and
projects are effectively evaluated and
underpinned by pedagogic research
4.3.1 To establish a range of opportunities at both
University and Faculty level to ensure that effective
dissemination of RiT staff activity takes place
Pedagogic research project to
investigate the current extent and impact
on student learning of enquiry-based
learning and recommendations on how
practice can be enhanced
Longitudinal pedagogic research project
to investigate student perceptions of RiT
5. Partnership Working and Civic Engagement
5.1
To play a lead role in the
development and
implementation of key regional
educational partnerships
5.1.1 To develop further the role of Staffordshire
University Regional Federation (SURF) in the
provision of innovative approaches to the delivery of
higher education
To develop a broad portfolio of
Foundation degrees, addressing new
markets and incorporating existing
higher national awards where
appropriate
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5.2 To provide enhanced
opportunities for students to take
part in civic engagement activities
5.1.2 To play a key role in the Staffordshire,
Shropshire, Stoke on Trent, Telford and Wrekin
Lifelong Learning Network in facilitating the
progression of vocational learners into and through
higher education
To establish five curriculum groups and
three thematic groups to underpin the
delivery of the LLN
April 2007
LLN Steering
Group
5.1.3 To implement a framework that will ensure that
the University Quarter Educational Vision, with its
focus on ‘education-led regeneration’, is
appropriately embedded in University, Faculty and
Service plans
Active involvement of Faculties and
services in the UQ project groups and
cross-cutting theme groups
Ongoing
ULT/ALT/ADT
5.2.1 To build on the success of the HEACF-funded
student and staff volunteering initiative based in
Sponte
Implementation of projects as detailed in
SPONTE action plan
July 2006
5.2.1 To develop the ethos and practice of Servicelearning as a teaching and learning strategy that
integrates meaningful community service with
instruction and reflection to enrich the learning
experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen
communities
Appointment of Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
in Community Engagement and
Regeneration in Creative Communities
Unit.
Dec 2006
CVS
Coordinator/ SU
Membership
Services
Manager/ Head
of Cultural and
Community
Development
Creative
Communities
Unit/Head of ADI
Identification and delivery of projects
July 2006
Head of
ADI/Creative
Communities
unit
6.1.1 To provide supported and technologically
enabled learning environments of all kinds (physical
and virtual) where learning information and services
are embedded, delivered flexibly and “just in time”
Trial FLA’s established & evaluated.
New areas established on Stoke and
Stafford sites 2006/2007. Ongoing
training and development available for
institutional staff
January 2007
Director of IS/IS
Projects
6. Learning Infrastructure
6.1 To plan, develop and maintain
the physical environment and
infrastructure with sufficient
flexibility to meet the changing
needs of students and staff
6.1.2 To ensure that buildings and learning spaces
are re-purposed to fit the development of a Flexible
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6.1 To ensure that planning for
developments in Communication
and Information Technology are
informed by academic practice
and the changing patterns of
learning and teaching
Learning Area model across the institution providing
facilitation for individual, group and ad hoc learning.
This development will be supported through a number
of permanent and short term advisory and
development groups including a learning environment
sub-group of Campus Management Team
Establish the CMT Sub Group
January 2007
Director of
IS/CMT
Support the development of “new build”
projects through evaluation of
established FLA’s (6.1.1 above)
Ongoing
Director of IS/IS
Projects
6.2.1 To ensure progress is made towards an
individualised learning experience by the
interoperation of all Communication and IT systems
impacting on the learning experience
Ensure the ongoing IT infrastructure
project establishes interoperability
between all compatible institutional
systems
Ongoing/Com
pletion by
March 2006
Director of IS /IS
Projects
6.2.2 To support and advise on the creation of a
personalised staff and student portal which delivers
information, learning environments and resources
enabled by access through a “single sign on”
Enterprise portal to be developed and
available to all staff and students. Staff
and students from across the institution
will be used in the evaluation process.
Completion
by September
2007
Director of IS /IS
Projects
6.2.3 To safeguard the University’s investment in
learning content by implementing a learning and
research gateway / repository which will promote
ease of access and re-use and re-purposing of
content
Implementation of the Learning and
Research repository via the Harvest
Road product. Staff and students from
across the institution will be used in the
evaluation process.
Completion of
initial phase
December
2007
Director of IS/IS
Projects
SWW 12/07
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