Student engagement in QA in Scotland Eve Lewis Director HERE Study Visit Quality culture in practice: Scotland and the University of Edinburgh

Student Engagement - not a new thing 1986 – NUS produced first class rep training pack. 1990’s – professionalisation of student academic representative function. 1994 – Education Act including SU legislation 1996 – 30 SU staff supporting educational representation. Mid 1990’s – enterprise in Higher Education project led to more staff development and further focus on training. 2002 – Quality Enhancement Framework – student engagement a key pillar. 2003 – sparqs.

1990’s

Scottish Quality Enhancement Framework Enhancement Led Institutional review. Institutional Led Subject review. Student Engagement. Enhancement themes. Public Information. Underpinned by QAA Quality Code(including subject benchmarks)and external examiners plus external quality measures, e.g. professional accreditation.

Who are we? student partnerships in quality Scotland Full-time staff in Edinburgh and Inverness Works with all institutions and students’ associations in the university and college sector. Provides international consultancy. Scottish Charity - members all sector agencies Main Funding – Scottish Funding Council www.sparqs.ac.uk

Our Vision is of: Students making a positive and rewarding difference to their own and others’ educational experience, helping shape the nature of learning and contributing to the overall success of Scotland’s universities and colleges. 

To make this Vision a reality our Mission is to Ensure students are able to engage as partners in all levels of assurance and enhancement activities including: Commenting on and shaping their own learning experience. Taking an active part in formal student engagement mechanisms, including quality processes and strategic decision making. Shaping the development of the student experience at national level.

Student Engagement Framework Focus on enhancement and change Valuing the student contribution Appropriate resources and support A culture of engagement Students as partners Responding to diversity

European Standards and Guidelines (ESGs) Historically role of students in external review and agency governance Stronger emphasis of role of student in internal quality processes – ‘internal partner’

ESGs Student Centred Learning Teaching and Assessment Design and approval of courses Students and staff are involved in providing and analysing information and planning follow up activities Student involvement in programme review and self assessment

Student Engagement Framework Focus on enhancement and change Valuing the student contribution Appropriate resources and support A culture of engagement Students as partners Responding to diversity

The Student Learning Experience

A Ladder of Citizen Participation - Sherry R Arnstein

Cadogan Matrix of Institutional / Student Union Relationships Patronised Partnered Peripheral Pioneered Interest Peter Cadogan Support

Examples of Partnership Residence IT provision vs VLE project Library services National Student Survey Graduates of the 21st Century

Expectation from SFC Guidance Institutions will continue to work with the Student Engagement Framework in their own context, and will develop their partnership approaches with students and student representatives, and enhance student engagement.

Institutions should ensure that there is a coherent and effective strategy in place ….. We encourage institutions to be ambitious in seeking opportunities for student engagement in the co-creation of learning; for empowering students to use evidence to enhance their own learning; for extending engagement to new groups of students; and developing the role and capacity of Student Association staff to build sustainability and maintain continuity of support for student officers

Areas for development Role of students in ILR, particularly self evaluative processes Preparation of Reflective Analysis and engagement with the setting of focal points Annual Discussions – agenda setting Student Partnership Agreements – multi level Diverse students – articulating, PGT/PGR off campus Role of Student Association staff National engagement including Enhancement Themes and Focus On

Partnership or Participation Think about the ways in which you currently work with students. Using the ladder or the matrix discuss where you think you currently operate. Where would you like to move to and hwo will you get there. Record your discussions on the sheet provided. Below are examples you might discuss but feel free to pick your own Major Structural Developments Gathering, responding and developing Student Feedback Curriculum Development Employability Strategies