Understanding the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) Workshop at the HEA Annual Conference 2013 Dr Erica Morris and Dr Nikki Spalding 3 July 2013

To enhance awareness and understanding of the HEAR To provide an opportunity to consider relevant communication strategies relating to developing the HEAR within an institutional context. 2 Aims of the workshop

3 Overview TimingSession pmBackground to the HEAR 12.10Short activity: what about the HEAR? 12.15About the HEAR: benefits, misunderstandings 12.20Main activity: developing a communications strategy 12.45Plenary 1.00Follow-up, close

‘Beyond the honours degree classification’ – A case for change – Proposing a HEAR – Burgess Group final report (2007) ‘Bringing it all together’ – Recommends key bodies ‘commend the HEAR to be adopted sector-wide’ – Building on trialling of the HEAR – The final report of the Burgess Implementation Steering Group (2012) 4 Background

What do you know about the HEAR? What about your institutional context: – Is the HEAR currently being implemented? – Is the HEAR being issued to students? – How does the HEAR relate to other initiatives within your institution? Discussion in pairs 5 Short activity

An electronic document that provides a single comprehensive record of a learner’s achievement Includes: academic work, extra-curricular activities, prizes, employability awards, voluntary work, offices held in student union clubs and societies Can function as a formative tool to be used during a student’s time within higher education Made available on graduation to enable a student to present a wide range of achievements to employers and postgraduate tutors 6 About the HEAR

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Students: as a tool that can enable them to identify, appreciate and reflect on the variety of attributes and skills developed through their higher education experiences Employers: can become more aware of the employability awards of institutions, and what these awards entail and cover to enhance students’ learning Institutions: vehicle to demonstrate the full range of opportunities, providing clarity and relevant information relating to a broader conception of student achievement (than a degree classification) 10 Benefits ‘Bringing it all together’ (2012)

The HEAR … – will replace the need for staff to write references – is a replacement for CVs – is to be used instead of GPA, or is not compatible with GPA – That employers will not want to look at it – Other common misunderstandings …? 11 Misunderstandings

Communications strategy – Consider your target audience – Identify key benefits and message – Potential opportunities and challenges – Tailoring your approach and message – Evaluating approach Working in small groups 12 Main activity Prospective students, current students, senior management, lecturers, teaching support staff, careers advisers, employers

Critically aware of misunderstandings and miscommunications about aspects of the higher education sector Working in partnerships to develop communication strategies The ‘voice’ of key partners: stakeholder perspectives and experiences 13 Plenary

The HEAR Starter Pack – designed to support institutions and organisations they work with (e.g. third party software providers) The HEAR self-assessment framework – developed to help HEIs assess their readiness through questions to implement the HEAR Universities UK and GuildHE (2012) Bringing it all together: Introducing the HEAR. The final report of the Burgess Implementation Steering Group Universities UK (2007) Beyond the honours degree classification. The Burgess Group final report 14 Follow-up

15 Support for HEAR implementation Website: Information, guidance, resources, case studies, scheduled workshops Enquiries:

16 Working in partnership to support the implementation of the HEAR across the higher education sector