WEBINAR DETAILS
As part of the current Enhancement Theme, QAA Scotland is delighted to present a series of webinars aimed at helping you use data to enhance the student experience.
Facilitated by a range of sector leaders and experts, these valuable sessions will consider the use of different types of data (both quantitative and qualitative) in a range of contexts. They will be of interest to a wide range of staff and students, but may be of particular value to those in teaching leadership roles within the Scottish higher education sector.
The webinars will run on the third Tuesday of each month between October 2018 and June 2019. They will start at 12:30 and will last for 30-45 minutes. Attendance is free, but registration is required.
The first webinar is titled ENGAGING STUDENT AND STAFF VOICES – 16 October, 12.30 to 13.15
ABOUT THIS WEBINAR
This webinar explores the scope, principles and practices of engaging student and staff voices within higher education. It begins with a discussion of the scale and type of methods currently employed and a plea to consider more innovative, inclusive and empowering approaches. There is a specific focus on the use of digital storytelling for engaging staff and students along with suggestions for integrating student and staff voices within methodologies. This webinar will also highlight the ethical considerations within this type of work. Accompanying resources will provide practical support for staff and students looking to develop these approaches.
SPEAKER
Dr Liz Austen, Senior Lecturer Research, Evaluation and Student Engagement, Sheffield Hallam University
Liz Austen is a Senior Lecturer, Research, Evaluation and Student Engagement and researches the diversity of student experience and student lifestyles within higher education. Her institutional research on strategic priorities includes evaluating pedagogic interventions for improving student engagement and exploring explanations for differential student outcomes, including attainment and retention. She works nationally on sector evaluations and writes about ethical practices in research with students. Before moving into educational research, Liz was a lecturer in the discipline of criminology and taught social science research methods.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This webinar will be of interest to a wide range of staff and students, but may be of particular value to those in teaching leadership roles within the Scottish higher education sector.
The second webinar is titled JUST ENOUGH? WHY WE NEED TO QUESTION OUR ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT EVIDENCE – 20 November, 12.30 to 13.15
ABOUT THIS WEBINAR
The use of evidence to drive improvement in educational practice has gained significant traction in recent years. Yet the concept of ‘evidence-informed practice’ remains ill-defined and contested. This interactive webinar will invite academics and practitioners to debate the nature of evidence and the role of methodology in educational decision-making, with particular focus on what constitutes as being ‘credible’. We will discuss the promises and pitfalls of ‘hierarchies of evidence’ and consider the effectiveness of using anecdotal data to capture unintended consequences.
SPEAKERS
Stella Jones-Devitt – Head of Student Research and Evaluation, Sheffield Hallam University and Alan Donnelly – Researcher in Student Experience and Engagement, Sheffield Hallam University
Stella is a National Teaching Fellow, Principal Fellow of the HEA and one of two national Ambassadors for Teaching Excellence in H.E. She is convenor of the Flexible Learning Community of Practice, working in partnership with Advance HE. Stella chaired the QAA Subject Benchmark review of the Health Studies curriculum (2016) and the previous iteration in 2007. Her wider academic interests include exploring more creative approaches to impact evaluation, flexible pedagogies, applied critical thinking and the growth of zombie leadership in higher education.
Alan is a researcher in Student Experience and Engagement at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) and a Fellow of the HEA. He is currently teaching research methods and critical thinking development at SHU. Alan has researched and supported the delivery of several initiatives to evaluate and improve student retention, experience and success, such as institutional impact evaluations and sector-wide projects. His wider academic interests include evaluation in learning and teaching and widening participation.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This webinar will be of interest to a wide range of staff and students, but may be of particular value to those in teaching leadership roles within the Scottish higher education sector.
Please note that we will be recording the webinar, and will capture text chat along with video and audio. We hope you can join the webinar but if you are unable to do so, the video will be available on our YouTube channel.
All the webinars will be listed as events on the Enhancement Themes website here:
Here are the booking links for the first two:
