Evaluation is central to ensuring the quality of academic practice within technology enhanced learning. The University’s Strategic Plan states:
Proposals for development of on-line components of programmes and modules should include plans for monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance, including an explanation of how information about student performance and feedback and staff self-evaluation of modules and programmes will inform University-wide practice.
It is also part of the Institutional Learning and Teaching Enhancement Strategy where Objective 1 states that creating an innovative and inclusive learning environment (for students and staff) should include “enhancing the application and use of blended learning” and “support research, evaluation and periodic review” in this area.
The Academic Standards and Quality Handbook (Section 8) focuses on the importance of student centred evaluation and states that:
The purposes of gathering, analysing and using student evaluations to positive effect are:
· to enhance the quality of the learning experience and the standards achieved by students;
· to facilitate dialogue between students and staff on the quality of the learning experience;
· to integrate the significant student perspective within our monitoring, annual reporting and review processes;
· to provide information to enable us to ensure that students are clear about their programmes and expectations of them;
· to give students an opportunity to contribute to programme developments.
References
CASQ (2009) Academic Standards and Quality Handbook, Section 8: Student evaluation of programmes and teaching available from http://www.ntu.ac.uk/CASQ/quality_assurance/standards_quality/8577gp.html (accessed 12 April 2010).
McNeil, J. (2006) Institutional Learning and Teaching Enhancement Strategy 2006-2010, available from http://www.ntu.ac.uk/CASQ/quality/strategy/index.html (accessed 12 April 2010).
NTU Stategic Plan 2004-2010 http://www.ntu.ac.uk/about_ntu/document_uploads/73452.pdf (accessed 12 April 2010).