Course and Unit Review Policy

Document type: Rule/Policy/Plan/Guidelines/Operating Procedures

Administering entity: Academic Board

Date approved: 03 Mar 09

Latest amendment date: 11 June 09

Approved by: (Academic Board / Principal)

Indicative time for review: Annual

Responsibility for review: Academic Board

1 Purpose

It is the policy of TOP Education Institute to assess the overall quality of the teaching and learning

and evaluate the level of attained educational aims and learning outcomes, identify areas where

performance may be improved and recommend strategies for improving performance.

2 Scope

Course and Unit Review is to be conducted with reference to:

· data collected from evaluations related to teaching and learning;

· analysis of student outcomes data;

· the views of academic lecturers, academic directors, students, graduates, employers and
other relevant stakeholders, such as partner universities.

3 Definitions

A Course and Unit Review is the evaluation of an academic program, including the course structure, learning outcomes, currency of curriculum, quality of teaching and learning including assessment, student perceptions and feedback, and feedback from relevant professional, accrediting and employer groups.

4 Procedures

Processes for reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the Institute's academic programs form part of its quality assurance framework. They are to be conducted taking account of the policies and strategic directions of the Institute, with reference, as appropriate, to relevant comparative or evaluative data. Information derived from evaluation and review processes will be used to develop and shape the teaching and learning environment.  The policy and procedures outlined below provide the framework within which the Teaching, Learning & Examination Committee, on behalf of the Academic Board, will oversee the review and evaluation of the Institute's academic courses.

4.1 Course Reviews

4.1.1 A review of the course will be conducted by a Review Committee not later than every four years.

4.1.2 The Academic Board will initiate the review.

4.1.3 The terms of reference will include the following matters on which the course review will consider and report:
(i) the overall quality of the course relevant to a professional discipline;

(ii) the educational aims and learning outcomes of the course and whether these remain appropriate;

(iii) analysis of student data in terms of progress within the Institute and progress within articulated institutions;

(iv) analysis of student feedback;

(v) course based on current knowledge and research and effective learning strategies

(vi) analysis of student destination data in terms of employment;

(vii) adequacy of the staff profile, teaching and learning space, learning resources and support.

4.1.4 The composition of a course review committee will be subject to approval by the Academic Board and will comprise:

(i) a chairperson, who will be one of the external advisers to the Institute;

(ii) a current student or recent graduate of the course;

(iii) the Directors of Programs;

(iv) a staff member who teaches on the course under review;

4.1.5 On completion of the review, a report from the Review Committee will be submitted to the Academic Board and arrangements will be made for the preparation of a response to the recommendations inclusive of an implementation plan.

4.1.6 The Review Committee report and the implementation plan will be provided to:

(i) the Principal,

(ii), Academic Board

(iii) the Institute Council

4.1.7 The Teaching, Learning & Examination Committee will report annually to the Academic Board on course review reports and implementation plans.

4.1.8 The Administration Office will provide administrative support for the reviews through the collection of core data in the areas of admissions, enrolments, student progress, graduate satisfaction and employment.

4.2             Periodic course review

All courses are to be reviewed by the Academic Board every four years and this data is to be

supplemented by two key student surveys:

4.2.1 Graduate destinations – within six months of graduation a short survey of graduates in full-

time employment for industry, salary level and occupation for comparison with national data,

4.2.2 Employer surveys – for industry engagement and conducted with selected employers every 3-
4 years for their perceptions of key capabilities of graduates and to monitor developments in the professions.

4.3.    Evaluation of Course Units 

4.3.1 No less than every two years, an evaluation of each unit will be conducted by teaching staff.

4.3.2 Evaluations will consider the ongoing relevance and value of the Course Unit over the next four years, taking account of the aims and learning outcomes of the course in which it is offered, and any proposed changes or improvements having regard to:

(i) student demand and enrolments;

(ii) TOPic content, mode of delivery, teaching and learning methods, assessment methods, grade distributions and student progress;

(iii) the extent to which units meet their learning outcomes;

(iv) whether adequate information about the TOPic is being provided to students;

(v) feedback from students from the unit evaluation component of the Student Questionnaire on course experience.

(vi) progression rates on course completion for each year of the course.

4.3.3 A student evaluation of the unit and teaching methods will be conducted at the end of each semester. Information derived from student evaluations of course units and teaching methods may be used for the following purposes:

(i) to assist staff members to develop and evaluate the unit by gaining feedback from students about the unit structure, content and resources and appraisal of teaching performance;

(ii) to assist with the two year evaluation of units;

(iii) to assist in the four year review of courses;

(iv) to set benchmarks for distribution of grades, rate of student progress and identify patterns of grades.

4.4   Rolling external review of units

A sample of papers in selected subjects chosen on a rolling cycle to cover all areas of study every four years is to be re-examined by an external academic expert to check that standards of assessment and marking are comparable to those in Australian institutions of higher education and to gain feedback on innovative features of course design.

4.5   Reaccreditation. The review is aimed at confirming the program delivery of quality outcomes and satisfying the needs identified at the time of its approval. Heads of Program prepare a comprehensive report.

4.6     Feedback to Students

The Director of Programs is to ensure that information about changes made to courses, teaching methods and assessments as a result of the processes of course and unit review is disseminated to students.

5 Related Documents

i. Benchmarking Framework

ii. Academic Quality Assurance Framework

iii. Unit Evaluation

iv. Course Evaluation

v. Course Development Flowchart