Quality Assurance for a Developmental “Global Studies” (GS) Curriculum

2016 ◽  
pp. 160-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Ahamer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Quality Enhancement ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Global Studies ◽  
University Administration ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
The University

This chapter focuses on quality assurance (QA) for cutting-edge transdisciplinary university curricula. As a case study, it analyzes the developmental, internationally- and peace-oriented “Global Studies” (GS) curriculum at Graz University, Austria. Based on an extensive literature review on concepts of quality for curricula, key concepts for transdisciplinarity and approaches for quality monitoring are provided. This analysis finds and emphasizes that QA criteria are highly dependent on the stakeholders' perspective; notably on the perspectives of lecturers, students, university administration, and external auditors. Based on several practical sets of such stakeholder-dependent QA criteria, quality in the Graz-based GS curriculum is assessed thoroughly. Detailed recommendations for quality enhancement are provided by students, lecturers and external auditors with a focus on: transdisciplinarity; relevance to practice; maintaining existing levels of academic requirements; and especially sound, sufficient and sustained funding by the university administration.

Quality Assurance for a Developmental “Global Studies” (GS) Curriculum

2016 ◽  
pp. 438-477
Author(s):  
Gilbert Ahamer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Quality Enhancement ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Global Studies ◽  
University Administration ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
The University

This chapter focuses on quality assurance (QA) for cutting-edge transdisciplinary university curricula. As a case study, it analyzes the developmental, internationally- and peace-oriented “Global Studies” (GS) curriculum at Graz University, Austria. Based on an extensive literature review on concepts of quality for curricula, key concepts for transdisciplinarity and approaches for quality monitoring are provided. This analysis finds and emphasizes that QA criteria are highly dependent on the stakeholders' perspective; notably on the perspectives of lecturers, students, university administration, and external auditors. Based on several practical sets of such stakeholder-dependent QA criteria, quality in the Graz-based GS curriculum is assessed thoroughly. Detailed recommendations for quality enhancement are provided by students, lecturers and external auditors with a focus on: transdisciplinarity; relevance to practice; maintaining existing levels of academic requirements; and especially sound, sufficient and sustained funding by the university administration.

Quality Assurance in Transnational Education Management

2015 ◽  
pp. 1271-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Ahamer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Global Studies ◽  
Transnational Education ◽  
Education Management ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
University Curricula ◽  
Complex Phenomena

This chapter deals with quality assessment for interdisciplinary university curricula. As a case study, it analyses the recently established “Global Studies” (GS) developmental curriculum at Graz University, Austria. After reviewing literature on concepts of quality for curricula, key concepts for multi-disciplinarity, inter-disciplinarity, and trans-disciplinarity, approaches for their monitoring, and necessary ingredients for multi-paradigmatic inputs, processes, and outputs, this chapter applies these criteria to the ethically and globalization-oriented curriculum Global Studies at Graz University, Austria. A practical set of criteria assessing quality in curricula and in courses is identified, a list of assessment exercises that have been performed so far is provided, and assessment of academic performance and suggestions for future improvements are given. Recommendations focus on the implementation of inter-paradigmatic mutual understanding and include setting up a regular, peer-oriented discourse among all stakeholders and founders of the curriculum and the inclusion of expertise into the curricula commission. All such concrete measures shall underpin the key capability of inter-paradigmatic studies, namely to see complex phenomena as perceived by other stakeholders, friend or foe.

Quality Assurance in Transnational Education Management

2014 ◽  
pp. 259-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Ahamer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Global Studies ◽  
Transnational Education ◽  
Education Management ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
University Curricula ◽  
Complex Phenomena

This chapter deals with quality assessment for interdisciplinary university curricula. As a case study, it analyses the recently established “Global Studies” (GS) developmental curriculum at Graz University, Austria. After reviewing literature on concepts of quality for curricula, key concepts for multi-disciplinarity, inter-disciplinarity, and trans-disciplinarity, approaches for their monitoring, and necessary ingredients for multi-paradigmatic inputs, processes, and outputs, this chapter applies these criteria to the ethically and globalization-oriented curriculum Global Studies at Graz University, Austria. A practical set of criteria assessing quality in curricula and in courses is identified, a list of assessment exercises that have been performed so far is provided, and assessment of academic performance and suggestions for future improvements are given. Recommendations focus on the implementation of inter-paradigmatic mutual understanding and include setting up a regular, peer-oriented discourse among all stakeholders and founders of the curriculum and the inclusion of expertise into the curricula commission. All such concrete measures shall underpin the key capability of inter-paradigmatic studies, namely to see complex phenomena as perceived by other stakeholders, friend or foe.

Academics’ feedback on the quality of appraisal evidence

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-294
Author(s):  
Chenicheri Sid Nair ◽  
Jinrui Li ◽  
Li Kun Cai
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Peer Observation ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Staff ◽  
The University

Purpose – This paper aims to explore academics’ perspectives on the quality of appraisal evidence at a Chinese university. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey with both closed items and open-ended questions was distributed among all academics at the university (n = 1,538). A total of 512 responded to the questionnaire. The closed items were initially analysed using EXCEL and SPSS; the open-ended questions were thematically analysed. Findings – The academics believed that the quality of student survey and peer observation of teaching were affected by subjectivity and the lack of understanding of appraisal. Academics also suggested that appraisals should be contextualised and the approach standardised. The study suggests the need for training that informs and engages relevant stakeholders to ensure the rigour of appraisal. Originality/value – The study raises the issue of quality assurance regarding appraisal data from the perspective of academics. It is based on the collaborative effort of academics in Australia, China and New Zealand, with the support of the management staff at the case study university. The study informs both appraisers and academics of quality assurance issues in appraisal. It also contributes to the literature, in that it initiates dialogues between communities of practices through collective questioning on the quality and mechanisms of appraisal in tertiary education.

scholarly journals Creating Successful Student Learning Outcomes: The Case of Trinity University’s Quality Enhancement Plan Entitled “Starting Strong”

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8197
Author(s):  
John R. Hermann
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Student Learning Outcomes ◽  
Quality Enhancement ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Successful Student ◽  
Quality Enhancement Plan ◽  
The One ◽  
The University

Using Starting Strong as a case study, this article examines how four successful Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s) emerged and one was eliminated during the Quality Enhancement Plan’s (QEP’s) development process. In comparison to the one that was purged, the four successful SLO’s had five commonalities: 1. Virtually unanimous support from the administration; 2. Wide acceptance of the SLO from the faculty and staff members working on the QEP; 3. A shared conception between the administration and faculty/staff of what is an appropriate SLO; 4. The SLO’s could be clearly conceptualized and measured; And, 5., the SLO’s are financially feasible for the university to implement. The study hopes that this article may provide guidance for other universities undertaking and developing SLO’s and QEP’s.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement: A Case Study of the University of Bahrain

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaser Al‐Alawi ◽  
Dheya Al‐Kaabi ◽  
Suad Rashdan ◽  
Lobna Al‐Khaleefa
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
University Of Bahrain ◽  
The University

The concepts of quality, quality assurance and quality enhancement

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noha Elassy
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Quality Enhancement ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ongoing Process ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Critical Perspectives

Purpose – This paper aims to critically review and discuss different definitions of the concepts of quality, quality assurance (QA) and quality enhancement (QE) in higher education (HE) with presenting critical perspectives of the literature. Design/methodology/approach – The paper looks at literature concerns with the meaning of quality, QA and QE, regarding HE context. It analysis and critically reviews the different definitions of these key concepts. Findings – This paper suggests that the concepts of QA and QE should be dealt as part of a continuum and showed the need for both as an ongoing process in HE institutions. Originality/value – The paper provides a unique analysis of the widely cited pieces of research regarding the concept of quality, QA and QE. It contributes to increase the understanding of those key concepts in HE sector, its origin and mean stream view. It outlines the importance of having a clear understanding of these terms and highlights the difficulties of having a unified definition.

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