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.
|