Senate Matters - to us!

Academic Senate

Last meeting of Senate for 2012 is next week. Confess, do you ever wonder what Academic Senate actually does? Of course you do. Even if you are a member you will see a circumscribed view of what happens, depending on how many working parties and committees you join.

Senate brings together a very large set of activities that underpin academic quality in the University. Few members of the University community are not involved one way or another. Even better, if you are eligible, nominate to be a member when the relevant vacancies next arise. Too late for 2013, all positions have been filled. It's a good way to find out what is happening across the University and to contribute to influencing outcomes.

The Item 9.0, Discussion Topic, papers are now available:

  • Third Party, Agent or Partner Arrangements: Issues for Academic Senate to Consider
  • Online Education: Developments and Implications 
  • Quality in Teaching, Learning and Research in a Multi-campus University Discussion Paper 

To download and read them, go to the Academic Senate website

MOOCs

No more on MOOCs this week. Instead, read the paper on Online Education that is going to Senate (see above). And think, E-learning, the 'disruptive technology' - how will we look back on this period from our rocking chairs in the decades to come. My first Mac and printer cost ~$4,000 in early to mid-1980s, a lot at that stage. And now - we get much more computing power for many fewer $$ and wonderfully small computers/tablets that offer us infinitely more.

AQF

A lot of basic work needed for us to be AQF compliant has been completed. All academics and professional staff should understand the different levels and the importance of learning outcomes in defining them.  All program convenors should know:

  • the AQF level of their program (except for the 3 diplomas); and
  • the learning outcomes for that level of program.

Other developments include:

  • developing a single Bachelor Honours policy (level 8), ready for introduction on 1 January 2013; and
  • schedules for all levels of programs (6 to 10) are being developed or updated.

During 2013-2014 we will need to:

  • confirm all program learning outcomes meet the level identified
  • finalise admission options for level 9 (Masters). This is now possible with the very recent advice from AQF Council on Grad Certs and Grad Dips.
  • address pathways not yet formally described: 
    • coursework Masters (level 9) to doctorate (level 10)
    • extended Masters (level 9) to doctorate (level 10)
  • confirm the AQF levels of the 3 existing Diplomas, if they stay level 5 or change their names, levels and learning outcomes eg. to Graduate Diploma if they meet the learning outcomes for that level
  • consider other opportunities AQF may offer such as should we
    • enable graduates to complete a major from another discipline and perhaps get a Graduate Diploma
    • introduce some Associate Degrees, etc.