scholarly journals Evaluation in tertiary education

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Hamerton ◽  
Amanda Torr
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Education Standards ◽  
Learner Outcomes ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Good Learner

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has an evaluative quality-assurance framework for all non-university tertiary education organisations. NZQA expects organisations to engage in their own self-assessment to maintain and improve quality and achieve outcomes. However, NZQA allows each organisation to decide its own methods, so long as self-assessment is systematic and planned, and improvement activities and decisions are evidence based. In 2015, our organisation decided to undertake a programme of evaluation as part of organisational self-assessment. The programme focused mostly on carrying out small-scale formal evaluations of new initiatives, activities, and programmes that were achieving good learner outcomes. This article describes three case-study examples to illustrate the range of evaluation activities completed to date. In our experience, evaluation provides a strong mechanism for education providers to define what quality is, taking into account the outcomes students, communities, and employers are seeking, as well as the external benchmarks and output measures government agencies use. Our experiences of evaluation have implications for evaluators. We have demonstrated that evaluation capability can be enhanced by teaming novice evaluators with those who are more experienced. We have also noted that organisational culture and leadership are crucial in ensuring evaluation findings are implemented. Multiple lenses on quality allow institutions to develop and demonstrate their ability to respond to the changing needs of students and stakeholders and enable students’ skill development to be recognised. We have found that evaluation builds confidence: in teachers to innovate and do things differently; in communities to work closely with providers to ensure their needs are met; in quality-assurance agencies that education standards meet required national and international benchmarks; and in funders who want to know public funding is being used wisely.

Navigating the secondary-tertiary education border: refugee-background students in Southern Aotearoa New Zealand

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Vivienne Anderson ◽  
Sayedali Mostolizadeh ◽  
Jo Oranje ◽  
Amber Fraser-Smith ◽  
Emma Crampton
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand

Health(y) education: A critical analysis of the role of public health regulation in and on tertiary education in Aotearoa New Zealand

2021 ◽  
pp. 147821032199501
Author(s):  
Susan Shaw ◽  
Keith Tudor
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Educational Design ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Public Health Regulation

This article offers a critical analysis of the role of public health regulation on tertiary education in Aotearoa New Zealand and, specifically, the requirements and processes of Responsible Authorities under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act for the accreditation and monitoring of educational institutions and their curricula (degrees, courses of studies, or programmes). It identifies and discusses a number of issues concerned with the requirements of such accreditation and monitoring, including, administrative requirements and costs, structural requirements, and the implications for educational design. Concerns with the processes of these procedures, namely the lack of educational expertise on the part of the Responsible Authorities, and certain manifested power dynamics are also highlighted. Finally, the article draws conclusions for changing policy and practice.

scholarly journals Desires and doubts on cultural sustainability: A study from Aotearoa New Zealand

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 452
Author(s):  
Tahera Afrin
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Cultural Sustainability ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Cultural Components

The original research project of this study was aimed to find out the components of culture and their impacts on ako (teaching-learning) within the early childhood teacher education programmes. Ethics Approval was obtained from AUT Ethics Committee. Under a socio-cultural theoretical framework, twelve lecturers from three Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) were interviewed. Three cohorts of student teachers from the same TEOs participated in focus groups. Using manual thematic coding, nine broad areas of cultural components were identified. These were bicultural contexts of Aotearoa, ethnicities and multi-culturalism, individual identities, cross-cultural interactions, comfort zone, female majority, socio-economic struggles, spirituality and technology. A recently developed framework for cultural sustainability (Soini and Dessein, 2016) were applied to these areas. Some of these components were identified as more inert and less dynamic, while the rest were recognised at the other end of the framework.The data and the principle findings were contextual to Aotearoa New Zealand. However, the discussion considered the overall global trends in relation to education.Keywords: Cultural diversity, cultural sustainability,

Experiences of Implementing a Large-Scale Blended, Flipped Learning Project

2018 ◽  
pp. 3839-3849
Author(s):  
Hazel Owen ◽  
Nicola Dunham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Flipped Learning ◽  
Tertiary Institution ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Personal Reflections

In the context of ongoing global adoption of all forms of technology eLearning has continued to evolve, informed by a growing body of research. Many schools, tertiary institutions, and other organisations, are implementing a variety of eLearning initiatives, although, frequently it appears the investment does not always equate to more engaged, knowledgeable, skilled learners. Tertiary education in Aotearoa, New Zealand covers all post-secondary education and is analogous to the term Higher Education in other countries. This chapter draws on the implementation of a large-scale blended, flipped learning project at a tertiary institution in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The project (within the Health Science faculty) was driven by a desire to improve student learning experiences, and develop a common semester with a suite of interdisciplinary postgraduate qualifications. The discussion is based on personal reflections, which provide different perspectives of the initial phases, from three participants in the associated study (two of whom are also the authors of this chapter). During the project two key prevalences were observed. The first was an ingrained set of beliefs, often unquestioned, that shaped overall expectations of what an eLearning experience might comprise. Interpretations and implications are discussed using the lens of mindsets to illustrate how beliefs of ‘self' fundamentally influence a person's ability to embrace - and thrive in - a period of change. The second prevalence was a familiarity with large-scale, ‘monolithic' eLearning developments, which translated into discomfort with an agile approach. The overall aim of this chapter is to provide sufficient detail to draw educators and administrators together to apply the recommendations offered, while providing support for 'change agents' - as well as those ambivalent about reform. The authors are keen to highlight how ultimately rewarding, but also emotionally and physically demanding, the implementation of reform can be for those educators on 'the front lines'.

Making a difference: The role of the Māori administrator in Universities

Te Kaharoa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Smith
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
World View ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Making A Difference ◽  
European Values ◽  
The Government ◽  
The University

The Tertiary Education Strategy 2010 – 2015 in Aotearoa/New Zealand states that the Government aims to ‘increase the number of Māori students achieving at the higher level’ (Tertiary Education Commission 2010, p10). For this to be achieved universities need to play their part in assisting Māori students to progress beyond the undergraduate degree and into postgraduate study. Universities take their origins from western European values, ideals and world view which are reflected in the curriculum, management systems and processes.  It is predicated that by 2020 over half the tertiary student population will be Māori due to a youthful Māori population (Department of Labour, 2008). This will be a challenge for universities.  Therefore, the role of a Māori administrator within the university system becomes critical in being able to provide useful insight to the university on how to retain Māori students in this changing environment. This paper draws on my Master of Philosophy research.  It will critically examine the role Māori administrator’s play in the recruitment and retention of Māori students in universities in Aotearoa/New Zealand including culturally specific pastoral care, accurate course advice, information on degree requirements, appropriate learning pathways for students and supporting academic staff to track student progress through to completion. These additional responsibilities, often unrecognised by the university, demonstrates the important role a Māori administrator can make in retaining Māori students in the academy. 

Tertiary Learning Advisors in Aotearoa/New Zealand (Part 2): Acknowledging our contribution

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. 25-43
Author(s):  
Caitriona Cameron
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Professional Status ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Career Opportunities ◽  
Professional Profile

Defining and re-defining identity is important for any profession, particularly so for tertiary learning advisors (TLAs) in the increasingly uncertain tertiary education environment in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the past ten years, two national surveys of learning centres in tertiary institutions sketched the professional status of TLAs, based on data from managers; there has been little research, however, on individual TLAs’ perspectives of their professional status. This special issue, ‘Identity and Opportunity’, reports on a project designed to address that gap, in three parts: building a professional profile, acknowledging learning advisors’ contribution, and rewards and challenges of the role. The findings indicate that TLAs are highly qualified and experienced but – for many – their skills and experience are not adequately recognised by institutions. There are significant barriers to progression within their institution, stemming mainly from organisational policies. Despite that lack of clear career opportunities, and other frustrations, overall satisfaction with the TLA role is high. Underpinning the findings, however, are issues of identity and recognition that should be addressed to ensure a resilient profession. Keywords: professional identity, tertiary learning advisor, higher education, career, job satisfaction

Tertiary Learning Advisors in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Part One: Building a Profile of Our Profession

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Caitriona Cameron
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Professional Status ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Career Opportunities ◽  
Professional Profile

Defining and re-defining identity is important for any profession, particularly so for tertiary learning advisors (TLAs) in the increasingly uncertain tertiary education environment in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the past ten years, two national surveys of learning centres in tertiary institutions sketched the professional status of TLAs, based on data from managers; there has been little research, however, on individual TLAs’ perspectives of their professional status. This special issue, ‘Identity and Opportunity’, reports on a project designed to address that gap, in three parts: building a professional profile, acknowledging learning advisors’ contribution, and rewards and challenges of the role. The findings indicate that TLAs are highly qualified and experienced but – for many – their skills and experience are not adequately recognised by institutions. There are significant barriers to progression within their institution, stemming mainly from organisational policies. Despite that lack of clear career opportunities, and other frustrations, overall satisfaction with the TLA role is high. Underpinning the findings, however, are issues of identity and recognition that should be addressed to ensure a resilient profession. Keywords: professional identity, tertiary learning advisor, higher education, career, job satisfaction

Experiences of Implementing a Large-Scale Blended, Flipped Learning Project

2019 ◽  
pp. 559-571
Author(s):  
Hazel Owen ◽  
Nicola Dunham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Flipped Learning ◽  
Tertiary Institution ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Personal Reflections

In the context of ongoing global adoption of all forms of technology, e-learning has continued to evolve, informed by a growing body of research. Many schools, tertiary institutions, and other organizations are implementing a variety of e-learning initiatives, although frequently it appears the investment does not always equate to more engaged, knowledgeable, skilled learners. Tertiary education in Aotearoa, New Zealand covers all post-secondary education and is analogous to the term higher education in other countries. This chapter draws on the implementation of a large-scale blended, flipped learning project at a tertiary institution in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The project (within the Health Science faculty) was driven by a desire to improve student learning experiences and develop a common semester with a suite of interdisciplinary postgraduate qualifications. The discussion is based on personal reflections, which provide different perspectives of the initial phases, from three participants in the associated study (two of whom are also the authors of this chapter). During the project, two key prevalences were observed. The first was an ingrained set of beliefs, often unquestioned, that shaped overall expectations of what an e-learning experience might comprise. Interpretations and implications are discussed using the lens of mindsets to illustrate how beliefs of “self” fundamentally influence a person's ability to embrace—and thrive in—a period of change. The second prevalence was a familiarity with large-scale, “monolithic” e-learning developments, which translated into discomfort with an agile approach. The overall aim of this chapter is to provide sufficient detail to draw educators and administrators together to apply the recommendations offered, while providing support for “change agents,” as well as those ambivalent about reform. The authors are keen to highlight how ultimately rewarding, but also emotionally and physically demanding, the implementation of reform can be for those educators on the front lines.

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