ADT Meeting Notes
20th January 2010
In attendance: Pauline Anderson, Karla Benske, Julie Brown, Beth Crossan, Eddie McKean, Sara Milne, Frank Montgomery, Nuala Toman and Kevin Ward
Apologies: Vic Boyd, Jim Canning, Marjory Jones, Gayle McKay, Stephanie McKendry and Stephanie Pitticas
Moving Forward Update:
- MF Partnership Agreements: At the November Steering Group Meeting it was approved that MF would work with 2 schools (BNE and LSS) to develop a pilot Partnership Agreement (PA) template. The purpose of the PA is to work with schools to aid them with the implementation of the GCU Transition and Progression Framework, the LTAS and other GCU Policies/Frameworks. Karla worked with both ADTs and HLTQs from both LSS and BNE. The template PA was then presented at the January steering group meeting. A few alterations are required; when the new template has been approved it will be sent round to the ADTs for information. MF will then work with all schools/Learner Services and the Student Association to develop the PA agreements according to the needs of the specific department.
- MF Funding Awards: The MF Steering Group has agreed that the extra funding which is available in the MF budget will be made available to Schools/Learner Services/ Student Association and the Mini CoPs in the form of small scale funding awards (allocation amounts still to be agreed). It is anticipated that the funding awards will be used to encourage incentives within mini cops and for Schools/Depts. to develop developmental projects – with a steer towards strategic investment – in relation to the GCU Transition and Progression Framework, the LTAS and so on. When all of the final arrangements/criteria have been established – a call for proposals for the funding will be advertised. The MF steering group will be part of the decision making panel. All money awarded must be allocated by the 31/07/10. Money will be equally distributed and MF will be looking for creative ideas. It is hoped that the funding awards will be the theme for the next set of mini cop meetings which will take place on the last week February/1st week March.
- Facilitation of LTAS Goal One discussion within LSS: Karla was invited to facilitate a discussion within LSS on LTAS Goal 1. This was a good opportunity for MF to meet academic staff within the school. Good/positive feedback was received from both the school and MF. Consideration should be given to including such meetings in the partnership agreements.
- Conferences: Julie, Karla and Sara have submitted a proposal for the EFYE 2010 conference looking at the Independent Learner, still waiting confirmation of approval. Julie and Karla will also be running a workshop at the QAA Enhancement Themes Conference in March, looking at staff engagement.
ADT Updates:
- CBS: CELCAT Attendance Monitoring system has been in use for 1st years and one 3rd year module (Direct Entry) for Semester A. Teaching staff responsible for entering absences, which is then followed up by automated emailing/texting to students, requesting explanations (to ADTs) of absence. This has resulted in improvements in attendance and has picked up some potential problems. This method of intervention raises awareness to students who do not know that help is available to them. This will now be opened up to all first year modules.
- Post 1st diet support project: just about to commence. There may be the opportunity for some students to resit some of their failed assignments/assessments during Sem. B. However, this requires additional assessment boards to be in operation and therefore may be problematic. Life Sciences operate mock assessment boards, consideration could be given to other schools doing the same. Karla suggested that ADTs could discuss this further with their HLTQs who are currently in communication with Andrew Eadie over the proposed changes to the current Assessment regulations/policy. Overall this was deemed a positive pilot project.
- Life Sciences: Nuala informed the group that she will be leaving the University on the 19/02/10 to take up a new post. Plans for her replacement/cover are well underway and will be seamless. A Generic Life Sciences Degree is now available which students can move onto (i.e. those who are not completing modules, rather than dropping out). Students can undertake any module within LS while on this degree and it is an informal opportunity for students to progress with a degree. There has been some uptake for this and the degree will appear in the next prospectus – however, will only be for non SFC funded students. The fees for this degree are an ongoing issue. However, students can progress to Honours level with this degree. Embedded sessions continue and are viewed as positive. The employability module will continue.
- Law and Social Sciences: Long thin induction process continues. Visits to colleges continue and feedback has been positive. Continue to work with the Caledonian Club and this will be ongoing. About to work with GGAP and SWAPWEST. Currently involved in LSS ELISR (Enhancement Led Internal Subject Review) and BASS (BA Social Sciences) programme/module review both taking place in March 2010. More Law students are now coming forward to uptake ADT provision within the School, rather than just Social Science students.
Student Association Update:
- There is enough funding to allow the Student societies to continue. The SA is waiting for approval regarding the ‘Student led teaching award’. Sara will distribute further information about this, when it becomes official. Kevin is currently working on and project managing the student union evaluation initiative. This has become a benchmark for Student Associations. This involves five themes – gathering evidence and developing action plans. Weaknesses will be identified and addressed. He is also working on the 1st Annual student survey for the Student Association which will be communicated during the first week in February. The Student Association Elections are now being advertised and this is three weeks earlier than previous years to allow for Nursing students on placement to participate and to avoid overload for students nearer to dissertation submission dates. The Student Summit Report (event held in November) should be completed and distributed over the coming weeks (delayed as a result of elections). The Summit did identify that students appeared to be more positive about the forthcoming changes to the exam diet. There has currently been no date set for the next Class Rep Conference.
Student Experience Project: HN Survey Report
- SEP Update: SEP has been running since 2001, Joanne will be leaving for maternity leave and Jim is currently working as a consultant for SEP and GGAP. The HN Class of 2008/09 project is ongoing and tracks all HN level entrants. The report issued to ADTs by Julie is the reflective analysis of the survey results. Ruth and David Whyte are currently meeting with School deans to provide a snapshot of the outcomes to Schools. With more emphasis on information sharing, Pauline has offered to send ADTs summaries and data for each of their schools and would be willing to talk through further. The data is available even at programme level. One point to note is that key missing data includes the inability to identify if HN students have entered with an HNC or D. It was noted that this information would be beneficial to the forthcoming LSS ELISR. Noted that caution should be exercised in relation to the SIMD data. The SEP Survey has had a revamp and will focus on Student experience and engagement (SEEP). This appears to be a positive move, however, it was noted that this will be problematic for comparing areas of the previous longitudinal survey. This is now a new longitudinal survey. Pauline has asked if anyone has any suggestions for what should be included and would be welcome feedback (i.e. focus on student journey?) Examples – Australian – Student Engagement survey and the Kerri-Lee Krause paper, which Karla will forward to Pauline. Pauline will contact SA regarding their survey and further suggestions.
Any other business: None
Date of next meeting: Mid March – 17th March 2010
