senate learning and teaching committee · senate learning and teaching committee minutes of the...

SENATE LEARNING AND TEACHING COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting of the Senate Learning and Teaching Committee held on Monday 9 November 2015 in the Senate Room, Level 3 Building C8A, from 10:02 am to 12.03 pm.

PRESENT Professor Sherman Young (Chair) Deidre Anderson Dr Ayse Bilgin Dr Yvonne Breyer Andrew Burrell Associate Professor Steve Cassidy Lindie Clark Associate Professor Jenny Donald Dr Peter Keegan Dr Kerry-Ann O’Sullivan Dr Mitch Parsell Darren Peters Associate Professor David Pitt Simon Populin Professor John Simons Helen Slatyer Associate Professor Ian Solomonides Susan Vickery Professor Leigh Wood Dr Panos Vlachopoulos

APOLOGIES Dr Wylie Bradford Jake Garman Associate Professor Mark Hancock Dr Jane Messer Professor Dominic Verity

IN ATTENDANCE Ellen CarlsonAdelaide Chan Associate Professor Pamela Coutts Ainslee Harvey Associate Professor Michael Hitchens Kerri Mackenzie Professor Jacqueline Phillips Zoe Williams Dr Brad Windon Dr Rod Yager

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

Pending the appointment of the new Chair of the Senate Learning and Teaching Committee, Professor Sherman Young assumed the role of the Chair of this meeting, as appointed by the Chair of Academic Senate.

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting and acknowledged the non-members present, including Adelaide Chan and Dr Rod Yager in attendance to speak to Item 5 and Dr Brad Windon in attendance to speak to Item 6.5.

Apologies were noted from Dr Wylie Bradford, Jake Garman, A/Professor Mark Hancock, Dr Jane Messer and Professor Dominic Verity.

1.1 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Members were requested to disclose any conflicts of interest in relation to any item before the Committee. No conflicts were declared.

1.2 Adoption of unstarred items

Items 2.2 and 3.1 were starred for discussion.

The Committee RESOLVED that the items not starred for discussion (Items 3.2, 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2) be noted, and where appropriate, adopted as recommended.

Rearrangement of Agenda Items

The Chair resolved to deal with Item 6, Strategy and Policy, at the end of the meeting and in the following order Item 6.5, 6.4, 6.3, 6.2 and 6.1. All items in the Minutes are recorded in order of the agenda.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

2.1 Minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2015

The Committee RESOLVED to approve the Minutes of the previous meeting held 12 October 2015 as a true and accurate record.

2.2 Matters approved by Flying Minute

The Committee Secretariat confirmed that the Agenda incorrectly states the date of the resolution of the Committee and should note 27 October 2015 as the correct date.

The Committee RESOLVED to ratify the Committee’s decision of Tuesday 27 October 2015 to endorse: • the Attendance and Study Load Policy for Students enrolled in Programs delivered by the Macquarie

University International College and the Attendance and Study Load Procedure; and

• the MUIC Progression Policy and MUIC Progression Procedure

and recommend to Academic Senate for approval.

3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

3.1 Action list

The Committee was informed that advice from the Legal Counsel had been provided regarding the use of the term ‘Fit to Sit’ in relation to matter 3 (Disruption to Studies).

ACTION: The advice from Legal Counsel and the updated policy documentation is to be circulated by Flying Minute to Committee members for endorsement. The Chair confirmed that silence is assent for this item, noting that the Disruption to Studies policy has already been approved in principle.

The Committee noted the Action list.

3.2 Procedural path for Disruption to Studies applications

The Committee noted the item.

Minutes of 5 Senate Learning and Teaching Committee 9 November 2015

4. REPORT FROM THE DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR (ACADEMIC)

Professor John Simons, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), provided a verbal report on the following matters:

Macquarie University International College (MUIC)

MUIC has opened and the students have commenced their first session. The intake for the soft launch of MUICexceeded the target of 70, with 160 students enrolling. The projected hard launch intake is 600-700 students.

Strategy

• The Learning and Teaching Strategic White Paper is in the final stages of review in preparation forrelease.

• The Indigenous Strategy development is progressing and will contain learning and teaching aspectsand significant consultation will be held across the University.

TEQSA Submission

The University’s submission to TEQSA has been lodged. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor reported that University wide consultation on the submission had occurred and he is confident that the submission represents the University as a whole.

Early Enrolment

The Chair informed the Committee that early enrolment is underway with enrolment of first year students commencing on 14 December 2015. The Chair thanked all Faculties and staff involved in preparing the program guides.

5. THEMED DISCUSSION

5.1 Gifted and Talented Students

Andrew Burrell and Adelaide Chan facilitated the themed discussion, with Dr Albert Atkin providing the voice-over for each of the discussion videos. A copy of the presentation is attached to these Minutes (Attachment 1).

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Registrar) and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) have commenced initial discussions regarding the appropriate management for young students on campus.

The Committee considered the issue of the retention of young students as they progress through the University, suggesting that more focus needs to be placed in this area.

The Chair thanked all for their contributions to the discussion and confirmed that further work in this area will return to the Committee.

6. STRATEGY AND POLICY

6.1 Assessment Policy Review – Schedules

The Chair spoke to the tabled item.

Schedule 1: Grades

The Committee discussed the Assessment Grades and Status Codes within the Schedule and following discussion resolved to replace references to the ‘discipline’, with the ‘discipline or unit’.

The Committee RESOLVED to endorse Schedule 1: Grades in principle.

Schedule 2: Unit Assessment Requirements

Clause Comment

2.2 Group work

Confirmed at 20%

3.4 Hurdle requirements – more thanone opportunity

• This requirement may have a significant impact on resources.

• The clause does not specify a timeframe or guidelines on when a hurdle requirement is tobe re-submitted/re-sat.


The Committee discussed Schedule 2 at length and whilst there was in principle support for most items on the schedule, final endorsement and discussion of the remaining schedules was deferred to a later meeting.

Deidre Anderson left at 11.40am.

Dr Kerry-Ann O’Sullivan left at 11.48am.

A/Professor Ian Solomonides left at 11.59am.

6.2 Placement Co-ordination Task Force – Progress Report

Lindie Clarke, Director PACE spoke to the progress report.

The Task Force believes that there is not a business need for a new policy although a procedural framework should be developed and include supporting documentation and tools.

The Task Force is currently seeking the Committee’s feedback on the definition of placement as drafted. It was confirmed that the definition will not include field work. Whilst consistency across all placement types is sought, field work does not fall under the remit of the Task Force and will be referred back to the Committee at a later date.

The Committee did not support the definition of “placement” as drafted at this stage, noting that it was over-complex. A simplified definition will be developed by the Task Force.

The Committee noted the Progress Report and noted that the Task Force will provide a further report early in 2016.

6.3 Session Offerings Working Group - Feedback on proposals

Dr Mitch Parsell spoke to the item and provided an overview of the work conducted by the Working Group as detailed within the paper.

The Chair reminded the Committee that the Working Group was originally established following a request that academic staff review the available options to offer units in intensive mode where possible. This does not mandate the intensive mode delivery, but provides an option for academics where it is requested.

The following comments were noted from Committee members:

• the proposed 2.5 session model does not fully align with the principles (as it doesn’t provide therequired flexibility)

• research conducted during the period highlighted that anxiety and depression occurred most within thestudent population during assessments and not exams;

• consideration should be given to the research load of academic staff, as a full academic year may notallow for research projects to be conducted; and

• the proposed 2.5 session model will be problematic as PACE will not be able to provide winter vacation offerings.

It was noted that the Bachelor of Clinical Science will run using the winter semester and that MUIC runs entirely in intensive mode.

The Committee noted the outcomes as advised by the Working Group. It was agreed that the Associate Deans Learning and Teaching will revisit the proposal following the receipt of additional data from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and MUIC.

6.4 Recognition of Prior Learning – Schedule for Entry to Undergraduate Programs

The Committee ENDORSED the proposal that the Associate Deans Quality and Standards and the Associate Deans Learning and Teaching devise an appropriate RPL Schedule for subsequent endorsement by the Academic Standards and Quality Committee and approval by Academic Senate.

6.5 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – Assessment Procedure

Dr Brad Windon spoke to the item, particularly addressing the following three proposals :

• A draft Recognition of Prior Learning Assessment Procedure.• Proposed amendments to the Procedure for Development of International Articulation Agreements (to be

renamed the Development of Articulation and Related Credit Arrangements Procedure, as it applies to allMinutes of 5 Senate Learning and Teaching Committee 9 November 2015

coursework awards offered by University). The document outlines the procedure for developing articulation, credit transfer, dual degree or transnational arrangements, and the relevant decision making timelines.

• Proposed amendments to the RPL Policy to reflect that the granting of unspecified RPL for formal learning is not subject to a currency requirement. Changes to the Draft Recognition of Prior Learning Assessment Procedure and the Development of Articulation and Related Credit Arrangements Procedure were drafted in the context of the Credit Transfer Register which captures unit to unit precedents, and in the Articulations Register which defines credit yields from programs of formal learning. These are either established agreements or identified arrangements.

Key discussion points and feedback from the Committee included:

• An amendment was requested to ‘Faculty Exemption Officers and/or Program Directors’ on the third page of the RPL Policy to encompass PACE.

• Further enquiries will be undertaken to ascertain options to impose charges for prior learning assessments.

• Feedback will be sought from ASQC about monitoring and review mechanisms for RPL precedents.

The Committee endorsed the proposals as outlined in the paper subject to the feedback provided at the meeting. Any additional feedback should be provided to Dr Windon directly.

The Academic Standards and Quality Committee will be consulted prior to the request for approval by Academic Senate.

7. GENERAL BUSINESS

7.1 The Negative Impact of iLab on Student Learning Outcomes

Dr Ayse Bilgin spoke to the item, informing the Committee that these types of errors appear to be a common occurrence and have been reported to the Faculty of Science and Engineering Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, Associate Dean Quality and Standards and the Head of Department for remedy. Dr Bilgin confirmed that OneHelp tickets have not been lodged to report the issue.

Noting the lack of data available to the Committee at this time, the members were reminded of the need to lodge a OneHelp ticket for all issues experienced to ensure that the appropriate areas are alerted.

The Chair undertook to contact Dr Mary Davies, Chief Information Officer, to communicate the concerns raised and report back to the Committee.

7.2 Senate Learning and Teaching Committee Meeting dates 2016

The Committee noted the scheduled dates for 2016.

8. REPORTS FROM THE FACULTIES

8.1 Faculty of Arts

The Committee noted the Faculty of Arts report.

8.2 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

The Committee noted the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences report.

8. OTHER BUSINESS

The Chair acknowledged that this will be the last meeting that A/Professor Ian Solomonides attends and thanked him for his contributions to the Committee during his time as a member.

9. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Senate Learning and Teaching Committee will be held on Monday 1 February 2016.

Agenda Items are due by Monday, 18 January 2016.

Meeting closed at 12.03pm


SLTC Theme Discussion 2015GIFTED AND TALENTED CHILDREN PROGRAMS AND PATHWAY9 November 2015 by Andrew R Burrell and Adelaide Chan Centre for Open Education, Office of PVCL&T

Attachment 1

Macquarie’s Gifted and Talented ProgramOVERVIEW

The G & T Program

3DVC Academic I PVCL&T I COE

Overview

• Origins – Yooie 2007

• Critical Thinking unit – external studies

• NSW Board of Studies endorsed unit

• Optional on-campus session and study group sessions

ORIGINS AT MQ

Why Critical Thinking for G&T?


VIDEO SNIPPET FROM DR ALBERT ATKIN

Macquarie University’s HSC PathwayOVERVIEW

HSC Pathway


Overview• 2011 Board of Studies approached universities to provide university units to

high achieving high school students when they were still in high school

• UNE, UNSW and MQ were the three universities to offer the units

• 2016 Currently there are 69 units approved for year 12 students to study during their final year

• The cohort is usually made up of students who have already accelerated in their HSC subjects, or have achieved a distinction in the Critical Thinking unit

NSW BOARD OF STUDIES

The Gifted and Talented PathwayOVERVIEW

Gifted and Talented Pathway


Overview• 2015 Macquarie combined the two programs to cover year 11 and year 12

and renamed it as the Gifted and Talented Pathway

• Recruit students who access either program and then make early offers if they meet MQ criteria

• Younger students want to access university study at Macquarie earlier, for example:• We have had students as young as 11 who have commenced in university

units, and students coming on campus to do university units when they are in Year 11

G&T PROGRAM PLUS HSC PATHWAY PROGRAM

OpportunitiesDISCUSSION

Discussion and Future Directions


Expand the reach and depth of the pathway program• Negotiate with Board of Studies to recognise MQ unit results towards students’

ATAR

• Opportunities for G&T children in maths, physics, computing and other advanced science fields

• Build on existing and establish new partnerships with feeder schools both public and private

• Mentor selected students, provide scholarships and ensure they contribute to MQ research agendas ultimately to make a difference

• Nobel Prize Laurette

POSSIBLE NEXT STEPS

Food for thought


VIDEO SNIPPET FROM SMH TERRY TAO

Contact [email protected]@mq.edu.au

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