Just catchimg up on this discussion after shamelessly not reading emails on holiday....

John Peters wrote:
" So, by all means suggest there are weaknesses in the indicators of quality being suggested and draw attention to the need for a greater focus on values, purposes and processes but please maintain an independent and critical stance. "

Absolutely.  We are currently marching to the tune of frankly disconnected government 'student expperience' priorities, here in Wales.  In my view, we should have resisted and objected to being driven by polcies that demonstrate little awareness of how HE does and should take place.  Now we find ousselves writing learning and teaching strategies with little mention of either learning or teaching.

SEDA represents a set of solid values and I think we should defend them. 
 
Graham Lewis
Aberystwyth

-----Original Message-----
From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Peters
Sent: 25 August 2011 19:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: White Paper - English HE - students at the heart of the system

Hi all [and Julie in particular!]

Now Kristine has broken cover, I am emboldened to contribute to what I think has been an interesting discussion.  

I have to say I don't accept the view of some contributors that now is not the time to be critical of the Government position set out in this white paper.  If not now, I'm not sure when there will be a better opportunity!  

I have great concern that SEDA could damage its reputation, as an independent advocate of developmental improvement in higher education teaching and learning, if it is seen to accept the government position that market competition and the survival of the fittest will somehow enhance the quality of Higher Education provision.  We need to say that they are wrong and that improvement and enhancement happens in Higher Education through co-operation, sharing and a real concern for students as human beings rather than as customers.  We need to say that we are committed to helping colleagues enhance student learning and that we will continue to do so in spite of the government's ill conceived and counter-productive proposals.       

SEDA will look still worse if all it does is agree the proposed quality indicators and then heap further quality indicators of its own on top of the pile. So, while I am supportive of suggestions that the learning and teaching qualifications of staff are important in enhancing the student learning experience, I wouldn't want us to just add that and other measures to the government list.  We are then directly implicated in a neo-liberal attack on the professionalism of our academic colleagues.  

So, by all means suggest there are weaknesses in the indicators of quality being suggested and draw attention to the need for a greater focus on values, purposes and processes but please maintain an independent and critical stance.  
 
cheers
John

Dr John Peters
Academic Development and Practice
University of Worcester
01905 855506


-----Original Message-----
From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gwen Van Der Velden
Sent: 25 August 2011 18:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: White Paper - English HE - students at the heart of the system

Hear, hear!!!! 

-----Original Message-----
From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of MASON O'CONNOR, Kristine (Prof)
Sent: 25 August 2011 17:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: White Paper - English HE - students at the heart of the system

Dear Julie

 

I suggest that SEDA's response to the White Paper should question the assumption that 'competition between academics' is a way of improving the student learning experience.

 

The White Paper refers to the outcomes of student evaluations and surveys 'stimulating competition between the best academics'.  An implication is that one of the criteria for National Teaching Fellowship should be changed from 'Raising the profile of excellence: evidence of supporting colleagues and influencing support for student learning' to  'evidence of competing effectively against colleagues'  - though the word colleague hardly seems appropriate in this context.  From my experience of working in a university which has successfully nominated 12 National Teaching Fellows it has been the culture of collegiality, cooperation and collaboration which has been significant.  A collegial culture reflects SEDA's value of 'working in and developing learning communities' and is one which should be protected and promoted across the sector.

 

Best wishes 

 

Kristine

 

Kristine Mason O'Connor BSc PGCE MEd PhD FHEA NTF

Emeritus Professor Higher Educational Development

University of Gloucestershire

GL504A7

 

 

 
'In the top three in the People and Planet green league table; committed to sustainability'

This email is confidential to the intended recipient. If you have received it in error please notify the sender and delete it from your computer.

The University of Gloucestershire is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 06023243 Registered
office: The Park, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH

Please consider the environment before printing this email.