Ref:F68756
14 November 2016
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATIONFUTURESSTRATEGYGROUPHELD
ON MONDAY31st OCTOBER 2016 IN THE CARPE DIEM STUDIO, CENTRE FOR EDUCATION FUTURES
PRESENT
ProVice-Chancellor(EducationInnovation) as Chair (ProfessorGillySalmon)
DeanofCourseworkStudies (ProfessorGradyVenville)
AssociateDean(TeachingandLearning/Education)ofeachFaculty/School,ornomineeoftheDean:
FacultyofArchitecture,LandscapeandVisualArts (Ms Joely-Kym Sobott for MsSophie Giles)
FacultyofArts (AssociateProfessor HeleneJaccomard)
UWABusinessSchool (ProfessorPhilipHancock)
FacultyofEducation (Associate ProfessorGrace Oakley)
FacultyofEngineering,ComputingandMathematics (DrDianne Hesterman)
FacultyofLaw (Associate Professor Natalie Skead)
FacultyofMedicine,DentistryandHealthSciences (ProfessorSandraCarr)
FacultyofScience(AssociateProfessorPeterHammond)
AssociateDirector,StudentSupportServices (DrJudySkene)
Nominee of the PresidentoftheGuildofUndergraduates (MsEmma Boogaerdt)
PresidentofthePostgraduateStudents’Association (MrPeter Derbyshire)
Co-optedmember (ProfessorHelenWildy)
ExecutiveOfficer (MsSallyJackson)
BYINVITATION
Ms Shirlene Allen, Executive Officer, Centre for Education Futures
Ms Liberty Cramer, Learning Technologist, Centre for Education Futures
Mr Callan Rose, Senior Learning Technologist, Centre for Education Futures
Ms Sarah Kahle, Project Coordinator, Assessment Policy, Centre for Education Futures
Ms Alyce-Maree Walpole, Digital Professional, Centre for Education Futures
Ms Astrid Davine, Senior Learning Technologist, Centre for Education Futures
Ms Casey Tabner, Team Leader, Centre for Education Futures
APOLOGIES
ChairoftheAcademicBoard (AssociateProfessorCaraMacNish)
ChiefInformationOfficer (MsAssineGeorge)
Director, Student Life (MrChrisMassey)
UniversityLibrarian (MsJillBenn)
DECLARATIONSOFPOTENTIALFORCONFLICTORPERCEIVEDCONFLICTSOFINTEREST
No declarations for potential or perceived conflicts of interest were received.
- MINUTES–REF:F68756
RESOLVED – 9/16
that the minutes of the Education Futures Strategy Group meeting held on29th August 2016 be confirmed.
TheChairwelcomedallmembersandinviteestothemeeting and briefed members on the Visioning Education Futures held on the 26th October. Outcomes from the day would be analysed and a reportwould be brought back to the Education Futures Strategy Group (EFSG) at a future meeting.
- MEETING DATES FOR 2017 – REF: F68756
Members noted the following meeting dates for 2017;meetingswillrunfrom10am–12pmintheCarpe Diem Studio (Hackett Hall).
EFSG MeetingDatesFor2017 / Cut-OffDates for ReceiptofAgendaItems / Venue
Monday6th March / 20th February / Carpe Diem Studio
Monday1st May / 18thApril / Carpe Diem Studio
Monday3rd July / 19th June
JJune / Carpe Diem Studio
Monday4th September / 21st August / Carpe Diem Studio
Monday6th November / 23rd October / Carpe Diem Studio
- ANNUAL REPORTS: SELECTION GROUPS - REF:F82255
The EFSG delegates oversight of the day-to-day operation of education-related schemes to two standing selection groups. The selection groups are able to make and action decisions that are within the parameters of established guidelines.
Members had before the annual report for the UWALearningandTeachingInnovationAwardsSelectionGroup as attached to the agenda and the annual report for the Education Futures Funding Selection Groupwhich was tabled at the meeting.
The EFSG congratulated the Office for Learning and Teaching citation winners and noted other category applications were still in process.
The Chair advised members that she had been asked by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dawn Freshwater to review the rewards and recognition process at UWA during 2017 and that a report would be brought to the EFSG. It was agreed that the review might need to run in tandem with existing processes and timelines in order to ensure that deadlines for national award applications for 2017 would be met. The Chair noted the suggestion to investigate the UWA Research Awards process to inform the review.
- CONSTITUTION – REF: F68757
Members noted that at its meeting of September 2016, the Academic Board resolved by R41/16 to endorse and recommend to the Senate that the University establish the following new faculties:
- Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education;
- Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences;
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; and
- Faculty of Science;
It was agreed that in light of the new University academic structure and organisational change effective as of 1 January 2017, a number of consequential changes; would berequired to the Education Futures Strategy Group constitution to come into effect as of 1st January 2017.
Two minor additional changes were agreed;
- To add the option of a nominee to the Manager, Student Wellbeing position.
- To increase the number of co-opted members in order to take advantage of additional expertise when required.
Executive Officers note: Subsequent to the meeting, it was agreed to remove the limit attached to co-opted membersfor all Education related committees to allow for greater flexibility.
It was RESOLVED – 9/16to take the above changes into account, to endorse the consequential changes as attached to the agenda and refer to the Education Committee for approval.
- CENTREFOREDUCATIONFUTURES(CEF)–ANNUALREPORT-REF:F76456
The Centre for Education Futures (CEF) has strategic responsibility to increase the use of educational technologies across UWA, implement the Education Futures Vision and increase student satisfaction at UWA. The CEF contributes to UWA’s recognition as a global leader in education and impacts on student’s learning experiences by developing and implementing Education Futures innovations projects and increasing the appropriate use of learning technologies.
The Chair introduced theannualreportonthe activities of theCentreforEducation Futures(as attached to the agenda), noting that the Centre had recently undergone an internal audit conducted by KPMG, advising members that results would be circulated when available.
In response to a question regarding the perceived imbalance between faculty engagement; the Chair advised thatBlackboard Engagement and Measurement (BEAM)project data had indicated that when evened out there was not a big difference in student engagement across faculties. It was further noted that large faculties had better capacity to provide local support. In addition, it was confirmed that the CEF had committed to a full engagement and communication plan for 2017 to maximise participation.
A member queried the ongoing relationship between the CEF and the new Faculty structure, the Chair advised that a strategy of Education priorities and partnerships would be developed as part of transition planning.
The EFSG noted that due to competing priorities, primarily the renewal process, the intent to integrate unit outlines (UIMS) in the Learning Management System (LMS) had been delayed and that UIMS would continue to operate until such a time as new projects are completed.
With regard to SURF, members noted that although the surveys would now be collected by the LMS; results would continue to be displayed and provided , as before via Planning Services. In addition, the Dean of Coursework offered to investigatethe optimal timing for the opening of SURF questionnaires.
The Chair requested feedback regarding CEF events for 2017, asking members to liaise with their colleagues and to contact her with any suggestions.
- ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK FUTURES FOR UWA – REF: F76456
Members were aware that an Assessment and Feedback Futures Project (AFFP) team had beenestablished within (CEF) in order to develop and support the implementation of the new University’s Policy and Assessment Standards, including the use of digitaltechnologies where appropriate.
Aspart ofthereporting requirementand governanceofthe AFFP, aregular report isreferredtothe Education Futures Strategy Group (EFSG) foritsconsiderationandreferraltotheEducationCommittee.The Project Coordinator; Ms Sarah Kahle spoke to this report as attached to the agenda. Members noted that due to the body of work by BiTs required to support the renewal project, the window for the technical work necessary to implement Grades Journey had been delayed.
Ms Kahle confirmed that the provision of professional development resources would be offered in a multi-mode manner in order to ensure that all staff including professional and new staff members would be informed of implementation procedures.
A member suggested the possibility of ‘assessment item banks’ to be considered together with a wider assessment of the validity/ reliability of assessment questions. The Chair confirmed that whilst this was out of scope, the issue of standard setting and moderation could be considered in line with policy.
The Chair thanked the 19 unit coordinators who had undertaken pilot projects, noting that this had been a highly cooperative and successful pilot.
- LEARNING ANALYTICS - ZENITH PROJECT PILOTS FOR UWA- PROJECT PLAN
REF: F76456
Learning Analytics refers to the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about the progress of students and the contexts in which learning takes place. UWA’s Learning Management System (LMS) provides an extensive and rapidly developing digital learning environment for all of its students and provides full Learning Analytics capability. Zenith is UWA’s first pilot of Learning Analytics opportunities for its students.
Members had before them the Zenith Learning Analytics and Pilot Project Plan. Members noted that 10 unit coordinators had been recruited for the first pilot which would involve around 2,700 students. The objective of this pilot would be to focus on the support of student’s learning, self-efficacy, self-determination and self-monitoring. The Chair spoke to the plan, highlighting the projects’ focus on student development and the information which would be made available to students. The Group expressed some concern, believing that the information released to students could promote competiveness and undue stress. The Chair reiterated that this was not the intent of the project and that work would be needed to combat this perception, it was suggested that changes to the terminology employed may assist. The Chair further advised that the project had recently been discussed at a student focus group focussing on which statistics could potentially be collected and how they would be used for student’s benefit. Student representatives at the meeting discussed the range of data which could be available to unit coordinators and how the information could used. In response, the Chair clarified that the specific data had not been decided as yet and further discussions including a meeting with the participating unit coordinators would develop solutions and take decisions, set parameters in place and help to decide which information from a range of potentials would most likely be of most benefit for students. The Chair reiterated that the pilot trials would be vital to assess which reports would be of most use to students and to alleviate student welfare concerns before full implementation. The Chair further confirmed that many other Universities had been utilising learning analytics capacity for some time and their research and advice had been incorporated into the Zenith project plan. In response to a suggestion that student welfare advocate should be involved on the project team it was confirmed that Ms Siri Barrett-Lennard, Student Support Services was already a member of the core project team.
There was wide discussion concerning the Guiding Principles on the Use of Learning Analytics (Zenith) at UWA, with particular regard to clause 1.5 and the University’s responsibility to act upon areas of concern which could be exposed as a result of the data retrieved.
Executive Officers note:
Following the meeting, Guideline 1.5 was removed and replaced by
"Where data indicates that there is potential for action to be taken which may better support student learning, the University will provide strategies for improving the effective use of resources".
- SHOOTING STARS INITIATIVE FOR UWA - REF: F76456
The use of video for multiple educational purposes continues to grow in higher education. Early research suggests video may improve student’s engagement, improve learning outcomes, help increase knowledge transfer and increase achievement.
At present, the technical infrastructure for managing video content at UWA is not meeting current or future needs; a new integrated platform is required which is optimised for the capture, storage and access of video learning and teaching resources. The Shooting Stars initiative intends to provide a coherent and enhanced approach to an enabling digital environment that underpins video for Education Futures at UWA as well as and prototype a range of small scale initiatives to research and explore understandings and new practice.
Members had before them a discussion document Shooting Stars Initiatives at UWA detailing the proposed initiative and its associated projects. The Chair introduced the document outlining a number of projects to be undertaken throughout 2017 which would enable, promote, explore and support the use of video by staff and students to enhance teaching and learning at UWA.
The project was well received; members noted the need for an integrated video management platform (VMP) and standard video formatting to ease integration with the LMS. The VMP would provide a central repository for video enabling staff to search and use existing resources. It was further confirmed that existing videos currently hosted on YouTube etc. would be transferable to the new platform.
The Chair noted the need to liaise with the School of Indigenous Studies with regard to cultural protocols which should be considered as part of the project.
9. NEXTMEETING
The Chair thanked members for their contributions during 2016. Members noted that the nextmeetingofthe Education Futures Strategy Group wouldbe held on Monday 6th March 2017 at 10am in the Carpe Diem Studio, Hackett Hall. The cut-off date for submission of items for the agenda would be midday on Monday 20th February. Please refer issues for discussion to the Executive Officer, Ms Sally Jackson
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