The Network of Quality, Teaching and Learning decided to 'walk the talk' and self-initiated a unit review at the end of its first 5-year strategic plan. A self-assessment was conducted, using the STLHE's (Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education) self-study guide on Centre Reviews (2018) and ACUE's (Association of College and University Educators) framework input measures, (Proposed accountability method for evaluating the efficacy of faculty development and its impacts on student outcomes (2018))., which included a faculty satisfaction survey (FSS). This self-study report was a basis for the external peer-review which took place between 22nd April and 1st May 2019. The Canadian peer reviewers, well known leaders in the fields of education development (Deb Dawson, founding Director Teaching and Learning Centre, University of Western Ontario), teaching with technology (Janet Welch, Provost, Yukon College) and Quality Assurance (Art Quinney, Co-Chair Campus Alberta Quality Council) respectively, were appointed by the Provost. During their site visits to Pakistan and Kenya they met with over a 100 stakeholders at AKU, including faculty, staff, students and University leadership. They also received commentary on the self-study report from external reviewers in the UK (UCL and Advance HE) and Pakistan (LUMS).
Findings
Since 2014, QTL_net has 'reached' (engaged at least once) 60% of AKU faculty with 66% of faculty returning to the Network for further support services, an indicator of the perceived value-add of the Networks. Faculty rated QTL_net programmes as highly 1-3 years later as they did immediately post workshops with 80-95% stating they were 'highly satisfied' that the particular programmes positively impacted on their knowledge and conceptions about teaching and learning. The FSS showed that those who participated in QTL activities self-reported much greater practice in the areas of lesson planning, use of a virtual learning environment (VLE-Moodle), blended learning and trying new teaching methods (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Comparison of teaching practices of faculty respondents from the faculty satisfaction survey (FSS) who have and have not attended particular QTL programmes.
Recommendations:
- Ensuring QA programme reviews include a research and scholarship component.
- Reviewing the policy on promotions and annual review by giving greater emphasis to recognizing and rewarding teaching excellence.
- Ensuring strategic support for teaching with technology meets entity specific needs and that capacity is built within entities to support operational activities.
- Ensuring momentum for a Teachers Academy that provides prestige to those who are excellent teachers to mentor other faculty creating a sustainable resource for QTL_net.
The reviewers were very complementary of the progress, reach and impacts made in the 5 years since establishment stating:
“The QTL_networks have been remarkably successful in raising the profile of the importance of teaching and learning within AKU in a very short time. They have exceeded the expectations of most educational development units in any country...The three networks are highly integrated in their work with stakeholders throughout AKU. Therefore, the Review Team would recommend that there be only one Network, QTL_net composed of three sub teams, QAI, TL and BDL."
We are grateful to all those who took part in the FSS and review process. Your input and engagement helps us to serve you better.
The Network of Quality, Teaching and Learning decided to 'walk the talk' and self-initiated a unit review at the end of its first 5-year strategic plan. A self-assessment was conducted, using the STLHE's (Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education) self-study guide on Centre Reviews (2018) and ACUE's (Association of College and University Educators) framework input measures, (Proposed accountability method for evaluating the efficacy of faculty development and its impacts on student outcomes (2018))., which included a faculty satisfaction survey (FSS). This self-study report was a basis for the external peer-review which took place between 22nd April and 1st May 2019. The Canadian peer reviewers, well known leaders in the fields of education development (Deb Dawson, founding Director Teaching and Learning Centre, University of Western Ontario), teaching with technology (Janet Welch, Provost, Yukon College) and Quality Assurance (Art Quinney, Co-Chair Campus Alberta Quality Council) respectively, were appointed by the Provost. During their site visits to Pakistan and Kenya they met with over a 100 stakeholders at AKU, including faculty, staff, students and University leadership. They also received commentary on the self-study report from external reviewers in the UK (UCL and Advance HE) and Pakistan (LUMS).
Findings
Since 2014, QTL_net has 'reached' (engaged at least once) 60% of AKU faculty with 66% of faculty returning to the Network for further support services, an indicator of the perceived value-add of the Networks. Faculty rated QTL_net programmes as highly 1-3 years later as they did immediately post workshops with 80-95% stating they were 'highly satisfied' that the particular programmes positively impacted on their knowledge and conceptions about teaching and learning. The FSS showed that those who participated in QTL activities self-reported much greater practice in the areas of lesson planning, use of a virtual learning environment (VLE-Moodle), blended learning and trying new teaching methods (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Comparison of teaching practices of faculty respondents from the faculty satisfaction survey (FSS) who have and have not attended particular QTL programmes.
Recommendations:
- Ensuring QA programme reviews include a research and scholarship component.
- Reviewing the policy on promotions and annual review by giving greater emphasis to recognizing and rewarding teaching excellence.
- Ensuring strategic support for teaching with technology meets entity specific needs and that capacity is built within entities to support operational activities.
- Ensuring momentum for a Teachers Academy that provides prestige to those who are excellent teachers to mentor other faculty creating a sustainable resource for QTL_net.
The reviewers were very complementary of the progress, reach and impacts made in the 5 years since establishment stating:
“The QTL_networks have been remarkably successful in raising the profile of the importance of teaching and learning within AKU in a very short time. They have exceeded the expectations of most educational development units in any country...The three networks are highly integrated in their work with stakeholders throughout AKU. Therefore, the Review Team would recommend that there be only one Network, QTL_net composed of three sub teams, QAI, TL and BDL."
We are grateful to all those who took part in the FSS and review process. Your input and engagement helps us to serve you better.
