G2G: Let’s Get Serious about learning

1. G2G: Let’s Get Serious about learning Kevin Bonnettdecember 13 2012

2. Plagiarism Warning! • Graham Gibbs: • Implications of ‘Dimensions of Quality’ in a Market Environment • November 2012 HEA Website > resources

3. Spot the author…. • “New technologies and even more flexible modes and routes of study are part of the story but whatever the route of study, at its heart is teaching. Teaching - the activities of educating or instructing, activities that impart knowledge or skill – should be at the heart of our higher education sector and the mission of every HE institution” • But it’s about learning as well as teaching…. • “No one would argue with the view that an individual’s learning experience and success depends as much on their own engagement as with the actions of the institution and its staff Effective learning is a two-way street.”

4. However… • “Prospective students need access to a range of information so they can make effective choices on where and what to study. They will be more active and engaged learners if they understand the options available …” • Which gives away that the author is….

5. Displacement of Goals? • If what we really want is effective, successful learning [“educational gain”], have we been driven off course by my focus on improving current measures – ie NSS, satisfaction, league tables? • If we now focus on scores for teaching, will we lose sight of student learning and engagement?

6. Do we have a choice? • We can’t ignore the metrics. • But don’t confuse them with fulfilling our mission. • We must create great learning, teaching and success for our students – and do this for its own sake. • So we need to improve on the valid measures - • - whilst still competing on the invalid ones that are imposed on us.

7. So what would be valid metrics? • According to Gibbs: • Class size • Cohort size • Extent of close contact with teachers • Quality and training of teachers • Quality and timing of feedback • Extent of collaborative learning • Our challenge is enhance all these, within our resources

8. Priorities? • Promoting effective learning and student success • Supporting the student as an individual – both online and face-to-face • Engaging the students as active, collaborative and confident learners.

9. How? • I’ll leave that to all of you – and to my successor!