1. Jon Hays SPA-Staff Meeting 20th September 2017
Teaching Report
Jon Hays
SPA-Staff Meeting
20th September 2017

2. Student Experience NSS Module Evaluations
Big improvement in scores this year compared with last year
Overall satisfaction was >90%
Well in line with QMSS results
Module Evaluations
Generally things look very good, most issues isolated and fixable
Feedback passed on to MOs either at the time or via Academic Review Days
Still improvements to be made
Feedback is always an issue – quality versus quantity
Evidence from student complaints and written comments from NSS:
Consistency of delivery and meeting of expectations is important

3. Teaching and Curriculum
Need to be more organized around syllabus documentation
QMPlus is the definitive guide a present
Hope to initiate a full curriculum review during the next year
Ensure course content is documented and joined up
Ensure continued compliance with IoP Accreditation
Marking
David A, already addressed this
Current programme is too dependent on “volunteers”
Major risk to delivery

4. Other Announcements Reading-lists (TALIS-ASPIRE) training
Was arranged but only one person signed up so it was cancelled
It will become a requirement from faculty that we use this in the future
Secondary teaching allocations:
Synoptic physics
QMUL Model Skills Audit/Questionaire
Informal lunchtime teaching meetings – details being worked out
Regular lunchtime slot
Sharing best practice
Discussing new initiatives

5. Module Amendments Timeline:
Planned updates to existing modules and new module proposals
preliminary approval at Jan TLC meeting
Submission to ARCS 10th Feb at the latest
Responsive changes to existing modules
Prior to end -April where possible – otherwise:
Discussion in academic review days
Preliminary approval at summer TLC meeting
Submission to ARCS as soon as possible after TLC approval (no fixed deadline from ARCS)
Changes at other times – generally not acceptable

6. Module Amendments Official amendments are required for:
Changes in module delivery
ratio of lectures to exercise classes
Changes in module content
anything that would change the module synopsis
the overall syllabus
Changes in assessment:
Change in forms of assessment
Change in assessment ratios
Records in SITS must match QMPlus, must match what students are told and must match what actually happens
This must be checked by MOs each year to ensure consistency

7. Queen Mary Student Survey
40% Return-rate in SPA – one of the highest in the University!
Many thanks to everyone who helped encourage the students to fill it out!
High points:
“Being challenged to do your best work” : 90.6%
“The programme was intellectually stimulating” : 94.3%
“Would you recommend the university to other students thinking of applying here” : 94.3%
Most statements got better than 75% positive response
Low points:
“Asked questions or contributed to course discussion in other ways” : 31.7%
“Discussed your academic performance with teaching staff” : 30.2%
“Developed the skills to influence, negotiate and lead” : 43.3%

8. Student Experience Working Group
New group formed to help us address issues of student experience
Small membership: ~ 6 people
Responsibilities:
Maintaining and monitoring the implementation of our student experience action plan
Monitoring and acting on student feedback
Documenting and reporting on actions taken:
“You said, we listened”
Formal report to SSLC

9. 1st Year Workshop In preparation
Meeting of 1st year MOs and other interested parties to discuss delivery of 1st year modules
Exchange ideas of best practise
Ensure consistency in delivery
Ensure strong and consistent message for 1st years about “university learning” and what is expected of students during their years here