Learning and Teaching Centre

Quality Assurance / Enhancement

In the context of learning and teaching at Macquarie University, quality assurance relates to assessment of:

  1. whether learning and teaching goals and objectives (a) embody what is expected and required by students, employers, legislation and statutes and (b) are appropriate in the context of broader community issues and challenges

  2. whether the learning and teaching approaches that are being used achieve these goals and objectives

  3. whether (according to the evidence) these approaches at least match good practice elsewhere

Quality enhancement relates to improving each of these three areas (see diagram):

  • improving the extent to which the University's learning and teaching goals and objectives embody what is expected and required (that is, closing Gap A)

  • improving processes for achieving learning and teaching goals and objectives (closing Gap B)

  • ensuring that the learning and teaching approaches adopted within the University match or exceed good practice elsewhere (closing Gap C)

Diagram showing Quality Enhancement relationships

Curriculum Renewal and the quality of teaching and learning

Macquarie University's Curriculum Renewal Program addresses each aspect of quality enhancement:

Curriculum Renewal Project Graduate Capabilities Assessment & Feedback Evaluation Technologies for Learning & Teaching Student Engagement

1  Improving the extent to which learning & teaching goals embody what's expected & required

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2  Improving processes for achieving learning and teaching goals

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(Mapping)

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(Critical reflection & use of feedback)

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3  Ensuring that learning & teaching approaches match or exceed good practice elsewhere

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Quality Links

Macquarie University's Quality Enhancement Policy
Describes a Quality Enhancement Framework to ensure the alignment of resources and effort to achieve University goals
http://www.mq.edu.au/

Macquarie University's Learning and Teaching Plan (2008-2012)
Outlines the role of accountability, transparent processes and regular review cycles in achieving quality enhancement and continuous improvement
http://www.mq.edu.au/provost/planning/landt_plan_low_res.pdf

The Australian Universities Quality Agency
Details how AUQA (the principal national quality assurance agency in higher education) interprets quality and conducts quality audits. A good source of practical and scholarly material about quality in higher education
http://www.auqa.edu.au/

Quality Research

eBenchmarking for quality enhancement. M Gosper (2007). Learning & Teaching Centre, Macquarie University http://www.mq.edu.au/provost/reports/docs/ebenchmarking_report.pdf