Session Information
Session 5B, Academic and staff development in higher education (2)
Papers
Time:
2004-09-23
13:00-14:30
Room:
Chair:
Barbara Zamorski
Discussant:
Barbara Zamorski
Contribution
In the global market of Higher Education many universities are concerned to enhance the quality of the learning and teaching experienced by their students. Some are at the forefront of e-learning (Laurillard and McAndrew, 2002), while others are concerned largely with face-to-face didactic teaching. In either case quality enhancement (Dearing, 1997) is to the fore. In this context some universities are encouraging their staff to research into their own teaching practice, to innovate and to disseminate new ideas, strategies and resources to their peers and provide funding to support this work. At one English University, in-house funds to support development projects in learning and teaching have been available for a number of years but until now no formal evaluation has been made of the impact, longevity and take-up of the project outcomes. Project outcomes are intended to align closely with the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy, specifically; the achievement of high levels of innovation and dissemination of good practice, and great importance is attached to the wider application of the outcomes. There is a data-base of 'Project Proposals' and 'Reports', from 1996/7 to 2003. There is also an annual internal conference where 'Project Presentations' are given. However it has been unclear how far these dissemination tools reach and what impact (if any) the projects actually have on enhancing Learning and Teaching within the University. This paper will report research designed to assess the 'value-added' impact of such projects. It will review the range of projects that have been funded and assess the extent of their impact in terms of spread, longevity and effect through documentary research, semi-structured interviews with past and present project leaders and key personnel involved in the allocation of funding, and through a random survey of staff within the University. The research has the following aims. ¢ To enhance teaching and learning quality in higher education by the effective use of such funds. ¢ To explore ways in which 'value-added' could or should be measured in terms of Learning and Teaching enhancement ¢ To develop understanding of factors which impact on the 'spread' of 'deliverables' beyond their immediate application. ¢ To identify project types that are particularly successful and/or long lasting. ¢ To make recommendations regarding the criteria for the award of such funds.
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