COURSES ON ACCREDITATION

ACCREDITATION AS A GOAL

Establish the goal of accreditation, highlighting the concept of continual quality improvement. Review the potential effects on the institution in preparing for accreditation and the associated workload. On a more personal level the effects on the intercommunication between individuals and the decision-making processes within the organisation will be discussed. The role and participation of stakeholders in the accreditation process will be discussed.

PROGRAMME MODULE & COURSE PLANNING

Focus on the internal aspects and the integrity of the effects of the accreditation processes in the academic area. It will provide an overview of various elements and their interconnectivity, which will be discussed in greater detail in individual seminars during the courses, making up the certificate programme for accreditation.

INTRODUCTION TO TED STRUCTURES

An overview of post-secondary and HE quality assurance (QA). A brief history of the development of QA in education will be given and the terminology used. A discussion of the various areas and terms of particular importance will be defined, providing an overview of various elements of accreditation. The roles played by the various actors involved in the educational process will be clarified with particular attention to student-centred-learning.

EUROPEAN QUALITY FRAMEWORKS

How traditional academic levels are equated to vocational education. This will be followed by explaining the development and use of quality frameworks used to define and write aims and objective, course outlines and graduate attributes as a part of strategic alignment.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

The writing of intended learning outcomes (ILOs) will be discussed in detail. Knowledge acquired in AC 12 and AC 13 will be applied and developed. Further the use and application of ILOs for aligning aims, objectives, syllabi and assessment will be discussed demonstrating the role these play in structuring teaching and student-centred learning.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Having developed and realised the aims, objectives, syllabi and ILOs for a particular module or course it is time to plan how these are to be achieved. This seminar will discuss a variety of learning activities and delivery methods demonstrating “constructive alignment” for achieving goals while encouraging creativity to stimulate interest and facilitate learning.

ASSESSMENT

This course will introduce the methodology of assessment and explain the Formative and Summative approaches. The different sorts of evaluations will be covered. Different assessment methods will be discussed in association with the different learning activities and delivery methods

ECTS

The structure of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is explained in terms of the elements of the system including: Learning hours (LH), Contact hours; Self-study; Laboratory – Practical work; Group projects. The role credits play and are attributed to programmes, modules and courses. The Diploma Supplement will be explained.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Education and learning are not the sole responsibility of teachers. All stakeholders have a role to play in achieving a quality education. This includes not only teachers, administrators and learners but also social services, psychological assistance, equipment and infrastructures to help learning. In this seminar the discussion will consider the role and responsibility of each group of stakeholders has within the educational process.

REFLECTION

This seminar will emphasize the importance of reflection and how it can be used not only in the planning and development of programs, modules, and courses but also during each stage of the education process to ensure continual improvement. Discussions will address the use of reflection by both teachers and learners to encourage greater efficiency and effectiveness in both the delivery system and the learning process.