Examples of Good and Innovative Practice

ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY

Academic and Quality Systems Office – Quality Assurance Division

Annual Monitoring of Delivery in 2004/05

Faculty Example of Good & Innovative Practice Programme Programme Contact Details Leader Arts, Law An external examiner commented: ‘Last year I reported Communication, Film Pat Coyle [email protected] and Social on the advances made in overcoming the traditional & Media ext 2021 Sciences divide between the modes of teaching and learning in critical/theoretical work on the one hand and applied/production work on the other. It seems to me that this concern has become even more central and other programmes in the university with this combination of elements might usefully benefit from the good practice of Film and Communication. On a very ‘concrete’ level, the booklet entitled Guidelines on the Practice and Presentation of Work in Communication Studies and Film Studies offers an excellent model of what should be presented to students at the beginning of their course and it would be interesting to see how this guide compares with others produced in the University.’ The documented involvement of many part-time staff in English as a Foreign Sarah Schechter [email protected] general staff development, scholarly activity and external Language ext 2018 examinerships was recognised as a point of excellence by the British Council Inspection and clearly enhances the quality of delivery on this programme. The English & Writing Programme area is nationally English and Writing John Gardner [email protected] recognised for its innovative assessment methods in this ext 2266 subject discipline. The External comments on student assessment, which is both formative, in seminar discussion and oral presentations and summative, in essays and exams: ‘The school has been, historically, in the forefront of developments in assessment methods, most specifically in terms of oral presentation, and clearly delivers a varied portfolio of outcomes.’ This is therefore

Annual Monitoring of Delivery in 2004/05 1 ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY

Annual Monitoring of Delivery in 2004/05 highlighted as best practice in teaching, learning and assessment that could be taken up within Anglia Ruskin and other universities. Arts, Law The external examiner’s report for Philosophy highlights Humanities Clarissa Campbell [email protected] and Social the delivery model for ‘Theories in Practice’ (EDP2995) Orr ext 2098 Sciences as best practice in teaching, learning and assessment (cont’d) that could be taken up within Anglia Ruskin and other universities. The use of pre-[Departmental] Assessment Panel Languages and Sarah Fitt [email protected] meetings. This also includes an External Assessors’ Intercultural Studies ext 2061 meeting which is seen as extremely important in :  Permitting externals to give an early indication of issues that may feature in their reports and to identify any concerns at an early stage so that they can be addressed before the following academic year;  Providing a forum for discussion enabling Externals to obtain prompt answers to their questions;  Making Externals feel part of a large team covering several contiguous disciplines;  Providing a forum in which new Externals can exchange views with those who have been working with the department for 3-4 years, thereby facilitating the knowledge and any mentoring that may be required. The use of a range of assessment instruments, including Languages and portfolios well suited to the achievement of learning Intercultural Studies outcomes. The use of WebCT for teaching delivery of modules Law (Professional Julia Ramsay [email protected] particularly for part-time students (which was Courses) ext 2468 complimented by the external examiner). The continued development of the integration of musical Music Alan Rochford [email protected] teaching, learning and practice ext 2353

Annual Monitoring of Delivery in 2004/05 The Programme Leader…sends emails to Drama Performing Arts Gianna Bouchard [email protected] students, alerting them to performances, events, ext 2016 developmental opportunities and research projects beyond the scope of their taught degree programme. This might not seem a radical innovation but the use of email communication with students beyond narrowly functional areas of information seems a commendable way of building community spirit and enlarging the concepts of HE study. Arts, Law The use of patchwork texts as a form of assessment was Social Sciences Shaun Le [email protected] and Social highlighted by the External Examiner. This could Boutillier ext 2242 Sciences contribute to the wider discussion in Anglia Ruskin about (cont’d) this method of assessment and good practice in its use. Ashcroft Employer representation on pathway committees Professional John Webb [email protected] International (CIPFA) Programmes ext 6860 Business Expansion of CIPFA alumni links via a sponsored dinner Professional School Programmes Analysis of past scripts (with permission from the Postgraduate Jon Salkeld [email protected] students concerned) during their induction programme to Programmes ext 6855 give them a guide to the standards expected at masters level.

Cross-campus scrutiny group to review assignments and Undergraduate Glyn Burton [email protected] examination papers prior to sending to the externals. Programmes ext 2481 The group checked assessments against MDFs for clarity of exposition and for the possibility of overlap in content. It is expected that this will not only improve the quality of work sent to externals but also enhance the quality of the student experience. Moderation days held each semester. These were used Undergraduate to moderate scripts from partner centres. It also acted as Programmes a forum to discuss with partner centres, any issues from the past semester programme, share good practice and to plan the next semester delivery. The international

Annual Monitoring of Delivery in 2004/05 partner scripts are also included in the moderation process and…any substantive issues are conveyed to them by email or by the teams from Anglia Ruskin who visit the international partners on at least two occasions a year . Ashcroft Areas of good practice identified by the QAA report for Undergraduate Glyn Burton [email protected] International FdA Hospitality Management: Programmes ext 2481 Business  The flexibility within a coherently structured School curriculum for each centre to respond to the (cont’d) regional variations in employers’ requirements;  The ability of partner colleges to develop particular links with employers which add to the currency and provide innovation;  The use of action learning sets to facilitate student self-managed learning. Ongoing induction programme to include library input. Undergraduate Programmes SAM in Trinidad introduced a ‘buddy/mentor’ scheme Undergraduate where appropriate third year students worked with Programmes ‘weaker’ year one and two students on study skills and possible approaches to past assessments, including working through previous examination papers with them. BA/HND Tourism and Leisure piloted a first year Undergraduate Personal Development Planning module. Feedback from Programmes students was considered to be excellent and the module was selected as a case study on the HE academy website. Education The external examiner for Post Compulsory Education Continuing Ed Powell [email protected] commented on the innovative approaches to ‘portfolio’ Professional ext 3540 assessment developed by the e-learning modules. Development/Post Compulsory Education (CPD/CPE) The external examiner for Ultraversity commented on an Ultraversity (Learning Sharon Waller [email protected]

Annual Monitoring of Delivery in 2004/05 example of good practice ‘that is particularly well matured Technology/Research) ext 2583 and could be implemented in a number of areas for many students following traditional face-to-face or blended courses. It is the facilitation of learning communities through the consistent and supported use of FirstClass. With traditional face-to-face courses the added dimension of student-student and student-tutor interaction can enrich and raise the standards of learning and teaching.’ Education The close links with Hays, a national agency for early Combined Honours Margaret Hutt [email protected] (cont’d) years recruitment (one outcome being a student award and Early Years ext 3544 for achievement). Institute of An external examiner has highlighted that within the Primary Care, Public Cynthia Hart [email protected] Health and Community Specialist Practice Framework ‘the internal Health and Social ext 4512 Social Care moderation process for practice modules which fully Policy(Essex) involves practice teachers is excellent practice.’ An External Examiner has highlighted that Student Primary Care, Public review Panels are good practice. ‘They allow careful and Health and Social consistent consideration of student issues which may be Policy(Essex) affecting performance. Institutional recognition of this through a formal reporting mechanism would be helpful.’ This process was borne out of considerable work undertaken by the Directors of Studies within the former schools working together with their senior administrative colleagues in developing and implementing a process of student review which ensured consistency and parity across the former two schools, now the IHSC. The process continues under the coordination of the Director of Studies for student experience within the IHSC who chairs all of the student review panels. External Examiners have welcomed the opportunity to discuss student issues ensuring they meet their respective PSB requirements as well as those required by the university quality assurance processes.

Annual Monitoring of Delivery in 2004/05 The continued use of the Inquiry Based Learning Pre-registration Adult Frances Weeley [email protected] approach which is innovative, stimulates discussion and Branch ext 4127 allows students to develop core skills such as problem solving. As evidenced by students, it allows ‘freedom to research areas of interest’ encourages students to take ‘responsibility for your own learning’ and allows the opportunity for ‘working as a team’. The Job Fair is well attended by future employers and Pre-registration Adult students is extremely valuable in preparing students for Branch their careers, at a relevant point in the final year of the programme.

The close collaboration with academic, clinical staff and Pre-registration Adult Frances Weeley [email protected] the Workforce Development Confederation. The Practice Branch ext 4127 Education Facilitators are closely involved in curriculum development, theory-practice development and work closely with Link Lecturers. Institute of The introduction of an Interprofessional Educational Pre-registration Adult Health and component to the Pre-Registration Nursing curriculum. Branch Social Care The introduction of an overall programme leader and a Pre-registration Adult (cont’d) management group who are able to ensure good practice Branch is shared with all branches and which also ensures consistency across the four branches of the programme. The Annual Student Conference and the Annual Student Pre-registration Jill Toocaram [email protected] and Registered Practitioners joint conference which Learning Disability ext 4935 continues to be positively evaluated by students year on and Post-registration year. This was also commended by the NMC visitors in Mental Health and their report following their visit made in early 2005; Learning Disability Taught sessions which are delivered with service users Pre-registration and carers. The NMC visitors commended the Learning Disability involvement of users and carers in teaching, assessment and Post-registration and curriculum review. In particular, for providing Mental Health and placements for students in Special Schools, with families Learning Disability who have children with learning disabilities and with

Annual Monitoring of Delivery in 2004/05 adults living in the community settings. External examiners commended a number of the Social Work and Andrew Maynard [email protected] processes that underpin work on the social work degree, Social Care (Essex) ext 4749 in particular: Bridget McKeigue [email protected]  Observation Placement module which is (Cambridge) ext 2367 ‘producing excellent results and evidencing a sound introduction for students to the social work role. The AM subcommittee proposed that this module be considered across the IHSC i.e. for utilisation within Pre-Registration Nursing;  The Reflective Learning module was commended for its innovation and its achievement of good results in terms of imaginative and creative thinking; The development of a systematic involvement of service users and carers in the qualifying programme. Institute of At CCN, the production of a Field Bulletin/Newsletter to Andrew Maynard [email protected] Health and ensure feedback to students. (Essex) ext 4749 Social Care Bridget McKeigue [email protected] (cont’d) (Cambridge)+ ext 2367 Innovative assessments utilised within the programme Long Term Conditions Pat Brown [email protected] i.e. taped interactions and concept maps; the Palliative and Older People, ext 4157 Care pathway had been particularly singled out for praise Post-registration on more than one occasion regarding the curriculum, the assessment design and support for students. Science and The mid-semester review by students who formally Surveying Michael Betts [email protected] Technology reflect on their learning in week 6 so that changes can be ext 3467 made to their experience during the semester to increase their chances of a successful outcome. Study abroad opportunities, which are affordable to the Architecture and Gil Lewis [email protected] students and accessible. Planning ext 3218 Collaborative assessments with Local Authorities. Collaboration with outside organisations to provide sponsorship for bursaries and prizes for students

Annual Monitoring of Delivery in 2004/05 WebCT support for standard module delivery: Computer Science Ian Oxford [email protected] ext 2324 The learning contract for the 3rd year dissertation has Computing Rob Jennings [email protected] been successful and together with the new marking ext 3378 template continues to improve transparency and objectivity in assessment. Externals have identified this as a contributory factor to a high standard of work. Collaborative delivery with Industry (CISCO). The Computing students receive the benefit pf the CISCO programme which presents an online server based learning experience which complements that of other modules. Externals have praised this scheme for its innovative practical experience and skills testing.

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