Validation Workshop

1. Validation Workshop 24 October 2007 Validation Papers: Documentation for each stage Sources of advice and guidance

2. Outline of Process: • Outline Approval • College Academic Plan to APC • Development Approval • Form to VSC • Stage Meetings I & II • Course Handbook, Validation Log (VL), Notes of Meetings, Programme Specification • Final Approval • Validation Papers to VSC

3. DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL (Form to VSC) Validation Procedures Diagram: OUTLINE APPROVAL (College Academic Plan to APC) COURSE DEVELOPMENT • Documents • Course Handbook • Validation Papers: • validation log • notes of meetings • programme specification Advice Validation Aide Memoire External Assessors Internal Advisers Academic Affairs STAGE I meeting STAGE II meeting Head of College Recommendation FINAL APPROVAL (Validation Papers to VSC)

4. DevelopmentApproval: • Following APC approval, work should begin on a detailed proposal to the VSC, otherwise known as the VSC form. • A template, as well as best practice examples, can found on the AA website. • Course teams should consider the academic focus and purpose, industry and student demand, the resources needed to support the development itself and the resources needed to deliver and sustain the proposal.

5. The Validation Log: • Records the actions needed and response at each stage of the validation process • Should begin from VSC Development Approval • Ideally Course Directors and Administrators work on this together • Used by VSC as evidence that validation has been thorough

6. Tips for a Successful VSC Development Approval Form: • Clearly state course title, mode, and proposing college/school • Avoid cutting and pasting • Provide a clear and coherent rationale • Don’t skip on the distinctive features • Details on resourcing, student numbers and staffing are vital – be explicit • Don’t forget the required signatures, proposed staff CVs, and the course diagram

7. Stage I Meeting: • Stage I should be held when the outline structure of the course has been agreed and the aims and outcomes written, but before the full unit descriptions have been written. • The documents for a Stage I meeting are: • the draft course handbook up to section 4 (course structure and outline curriculum) • background paperwork such as the form that went to VSC. • Stage I meetings are chaired by the Dean of School or College Dean.

8. Stage II Meeting: • The Stage II meeting is generally held when the team consider the handbook complete and are ready to present it to external assessors and others. • Notes should be taken as for Stage I. Stage II meetings are chaired by a head of college, dean or senior academic from another college of the university. • Documents will be: • the completed course handbook • minutes of the Stage I Meeting • the validation log • the programme specification • the validation papers

9. Final Approval & VSC: • The VSC uses secondary rather than primary evidence to fulfil its duties and does not receive the course handbook. • It is a college responsibility to ensure that validation papers are completed to the highest quality, so that the sub-committee can use them to validate the course.

10. Validation Papers for Final Approval: • the validation log • the programme specification • notes of Stage Meetings I & II • recommendation from Head of College

11. Tips for a Successful Final Approval (1): • The validation log • The validation log should be filled in completely, clearly stating responses to concerns raised at each stage. • Avoid statements such as ‘done’. Be explicit. • Avoid listing minute details (for example, typographical corrections in the handbook). • The programme specification • Be brief! Only essential information is needed. • Check to make sure information is accurate.

12. Tips for a Successful Final Approval (2): • Notes of Stage Meetings I & II • Notes should be taken and VL updated. • Make sure action points have been addressed and can be mapped. • Stage II signature required before coming back to VSC. • Various • Include a course diagram. • Include all signatures. • Make sure concerns have been addressed.

13. Advice and Guidance: • Academic Affairs website, ‘Course Validation, Revalidation and Review’ • AA Handbook, Chapter 2 • Validation Aide Memoire • Examples of good practice • Guidance and briefing notes • Academic Affairs staff • Amanda Ostermann, John Melton • Written comment on first full draft of handbook

14. Advice and Guidance – Course Adviser: • Should be appointed and consulted as early as possible • Usually from another College; more than one may be consulted • Panel of Advisers listed on AA website • Should have experience of validation or of running a similar course • Assists team to clarify ideas and by offering a critical perspective

15. Advice and Guidance - External Assessor: • At least one is a requirement, usually two • Normally an academic plus an industry person • Must be independent of the University (CV to Academic Affairs) • Appointed by Dean, paid by AA • Number of days’ input normally 2-3. Additional days must be agreed with AA

16. Summary of Documents: • VSC Form (Proposal) • Stage I • Outline course handbook, course structure, outline curriculum • Validation Log • Notes of meeting • Stage II • Full draft handbook including unit descriptors • Notes of Stage I • Programme specification • Validation Log • VSC Final Approval • Validation papers, stage meeting notes, completed validation log, finalised programme specification

17. Outline of Process for Course Review: • Approval Stage • Submission of VSC form • Review Meeting • Consideration of documents • Post Review Meeting • Handbook update • Handbook checked by AA • Final Approval • Report of Review • Course team response to CAC • Notification to VSC

18. Course Review Documents Review Panel considers: • Written appraisal by course team • Current course Handbook • Last two years’ external examiner and course monitoring reports • Significant changes to resources • Composition and membership of course team (including CVs of new staff) For courses proceeding to revalidation, the Panel should also consider: • Summary of proposed changes • Draft of revised Handbook (as for Stage I of Validation)

19. Course Review Written Appraisal: • Course team’s written appraisal is under headings of: • Curriculum design, content and organisation • Teaching learning and assessment • Student progression and achievement • Student support and guidance • Learning resources • Quality management and enhancement • There is no set format for the written appraisal. • An example of an outline template for the written appraisal prepared by Gary Naylor at LCC School of Media is included in today’s info pack and is available on the AA website, together with recent examples of written appraisals.