C/4.7 Evaluation of courses, units, teaching and student experience
Policy Owner | Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) |
Approval Date | 16/11/2020 |
Approval Authority | University Academic Board |
Date of Next Review | 30/11/2023 |
4.7.1 Purpose
4.7.2 Application
4.7.3 Roles and responsibilities
4.7.4 Purpose of evaluation at QUT
4.7.5 Principles
4.7.6 The QUT Evaluation Framework
4.7.7 Using evaluation data
4.7.8 Ethical principles for evaluation and research with students
4.7.9 Use and disclosure of personal information
4.7.10 Delegations
Related Documents
Modification History
4.7.1 Purpose
This policy outlines the aproach to evaluation at QUT, ensuring the appropriate collection and use of evidence to support reflection on, and the continuous improvement of, courses, units, teaching and the student experience. This policy assists QUT in meeting relevant Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.
4.7.2 Application
This policy applies to all staff members engaged in learning and teaching. The policy does not apply to invited guest speakers.
4.7.3 Roles and responsibilities
Position | Responsibility |
---|---|
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) |
|
Executive deans |
|
Course coordinators |
|
Unit coordinators |
|
Supervisors (normally heads of school) |
|
Associate deans (learning and teaching) and equivalents |
|
Academic staff engaged in teaching (ongoing, fixed term or sessional) |
|
Director, QUT Academy of Learning and Teaching |
|
Associate Director, Data and Analytics |
|
4.7.4 Purpose of evaluation at QUT
The purpose of the evaluation of courses, units, teaching and the learning experience at QUT is to:
- inform and support quality assurance (A/2.4) of courses, units, teaching and the learning experience through evidence
- afford opportunities for the student and staff voice in relation to courses, units, teaching and the learning experience; and
- ensure continuous improvement in learning and teaching through evidence-based critical reflection.
4.7.5 Principles
Evaluation at QUT is guided by the following principles.
- Evaluation is based upon multiple sources of evidence.
- QUT respects and values the feedback of students and staff on courses, units, teaching and the learning experience as an integral part of the University commitment to quality.
- All students are provided with opportunities to provide feedback on their learning experience.
- Evaluation is aligned with the core knowledge, professional values and activities articulated in the Real World Learning Vision and the Professional Standards Framework (QUT staff access only).
- Evaluation is designed to provide evidence of the quality of learning and teaching processes and outcomes to support the design and delivery of quality learning experiences at QUT.
- Evaluations at QUT are undertaken in an ethical and accountable manner with a commitment to integrity and fair conduct.
- Evaluation data is collected, managed and retained in accordance with relevant legislation and University policy.
- Evaluation is fair, equitable and there is a rigorous consideration and use of evaluation data in line with QUT's social justice and planning, quality and review policies.
- The process and outcomes of evaluation will be transparent to students and staff and they will be informed how their feedback is used to shape learning and teaching and the learning experience.
- Evaluation data will be considered in context (e.g. discipline, cohort characteristics, nature/level of unit or mode of delivery).
- Evaluation data may be considered in probation, promotion and performance planning and review for academic staff.
4.7.6 The QUT Evaluation Framework
Academic staff members engaged in a teaching role are required to develop an annual personal evaluation strategy in consultation with their supervisor. The personal evaluation strategy informs discussions on teaching performance in PPR-AS and should draw on multiple sources of evaluation data and focus on the impact on student learning.
Evaluation data can be collected using a range of methods including the University-endorsed suite of evaluation methods as approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education). Evaluation methods are specified in QUT's Evaluation Framework Protocols.
4.7.7 Using evaluation data
Evaluation data is used to:
- critically reflect on and refine learning experiences and teaching at QUT
- review, develop, recognise and reward quality in learning and teaching, including Fellowship and teaching awards; and
- support personal evaluation, promotion and performance planning and review for academic staff.
Evaluation data from multiple sources is a key resource for supporting continuous improvement in learning and teaching, course performance reporting, course reaccreditation, unit and course reviews, performance management processes and other quality assurance processes.
4.7.8 Ethical principles for evaluation and research with students
QUT quality assurance and evaluation activities where the findings are intended to support the improvement and development of QUT learning and teaching and services to students are not classed as academic research unless they involve the publication of the research. The use of student information in quality assurance and evaluation activities does not require formal ethical review by University Human Research Ethics Committee but any use of student personal information must comply with QUT’s Information privacy policy (F/6.2) and associated protocols.The use of student information in quality assurance and evaluation activities must also comply with NHMRC guidance on Ethical Considerations in Quality Assurance and Evaluation Activities. All research, including research using evaluation data, must comply with the QUT Code for responsible conduct of research (D/2.6). Ethics approval is required for human research; this includes any research conducted with or about people, or their data. Therefore, ethics approval is required for academic research using evaluation data. QUT endorses the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (NHMRC). The Office of Research Ethics and Integrity (OREI) provides advice on ethical research and the level of approval required for a particular research project.
4.7.9 Use and disclosure of personal information
QUT will not disclose personal information obtained from evaluation data, or identify and contact students or staff unless authorised in accordance with the Information privacy policy (F/6.2).
The protocols for access to evaluation data outlined in the QUT Evaluation Framework Protocols will be consistent with the Information privacy policy (F/6.2) and associated protocols.
4.7.10 Delegations
Refer to Register of Authorities and Delegations (VC137) (QUT staff access only).
Related Documents
MOPP A/2.4 QUT Quality and Standards Framework
MOPP B/3.5 Academic leadership roles in teaching and learning
MOPP B/9.4 Performance, promotion and probation for academic staff
MOPP D/2.6 QUT Code for responsible conduct of research
MOPP D/2.8 Management of research data and primary materials
MOPP E/2.1 QUT Student Code of Conduct
MOPP F/6.2 Information privacy
Evaluation of courses, units, teaching and student experience (QUT Evaluation Framework Protocols) (QUT staff access only)
Research Ethics and Integrity forms and templates (QUT Staff access only)
NHMRC guidance on ‘Ethical Considerations in Quality Assurance and Evaluation Activities’
Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021
Modification History
Date |
Sections |
Source |
Details |
28.04.21 | C/4.7.3 | Director, Governance, Legal and Performance | Position title change from Head of QUT Academy of Learning and Teaching to Director, QUT Academy of Learning and Teaching to align with Repositioning QUT for a post-COVID world organisational change - effective 31.01.21 |
16.11.20 | All | University Academic Board | Revised and simplified policy to align with structural changes and the new Evaluation Framework and principles |
30.09.19 | All | Provost | Approved position title change for Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) |
09.01.19 | All | Director, Governance and Legal Services | Policy revised to include approved position title change from assistant dean/s to associate dean/s |
30.07.18 | C/4.7.3 | Governance and Legal Services | Editorial revisions to update position title - Faculty Manager discontinued, new role Director of Faculty Services |
23.03.18 | All | University Academic Board | Revised and simplified policy to integrate Expert Review of Educational Practice and alignment with the Academic Performance Indicators |
22.07.16 | All | University Academic Board | Policy revised to introduce and integrate the Student Perceptions of Teaching Survey into QUT's evaluation framework |
23.11.12 | All | University Academic Board | Policy revised to integrate the approved Reframe approach to evaluation |
20.04.11 |
All |
Council |
Policy revised to reflect committee name change from University Teaching and Learning Committee to University Learning and Teaching Committee |
19.02.11 |
All |
Vice-Chancellor |
Policy revised to include approved name change for Office of Teaching Quality to Learning and Teaching Unit and position title for Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching Quality) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) |
07.10.10 |
All |
Office of Teaching Quality |
Revised terms of reference due to the 'TellQUT' survey instrument replacing 'QUT Pulse' |
29.07.09 |
C/4.7.2 |
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching Quality) |
Minor amendment relating to release of quantitative data on unit evaluation for the purposes of course design, development and review |
14.11.08 |
All |
University Academic Board |
Policy renumbered to C/4.7 (formerly C/7.7) |
16.03.07 |
All |
University Academic Board |
Revised policy (endorsed by Teaching and Learning Committee 27.02.07 and Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Committee 28.02.07) |
02.05.06 |
All |
Chair, University Academic Board |
Revised policy consistent with new policy on evaluating teaching quality (B/9.7) (endorsed by Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee 22.02.06) |
20.06.03 |
All |
University Academic Board |
New policy (effective from Semester 1, 2004) |