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National Teaching Standards Project

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National Teaching Standards Framework (TSF) Project (led by Macquarie University)

In 2010, Macquarie University was successful in obtaining funding through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the ALTC to coordinate a project aimed at developing a national Teaching Standards Framework (TSF).  The aim was to develop a comprehensive framework to be used for both regulatory and developmental purposes.  Nine universities were involved in testing and re-designing a TSF that was already in existence at Macquarie University.

A follow-up project sought to develop a robust online version of the TSF that would enable universities to report against the standards.  Twelve institutions, including the University of Tasmania (UTAS), participated in testing the functionality and usability of the online version of the TSF.  UTAS tested the online tool at the Institutional, Faculty (Faculty of Arts - first year) and Course [Bachelor of Education (Primary)] levels.  The online TSF can be accessed at: http://teachingframework.edu.au/

Findings from UTAS' participation in this national TSF Project were reported in a paper presented to the UTAS Academic Standards Sub-Committee in April, 2012.

As a result of UTAS' participation in this national TSF project, 13 key recommendations for the university were proposed in a paper for the Academic Standards Sub-Committee in August, 2012.

ALTC inter-university Moderation and Standards Project

The Teaching & Learning Standards Project addressed the Government's search for a valid and efficient way to assure sector standards in relation to academic achievement, while assuring appropriate diversity and responsiveness.  It sought to identify a collegial approach for reviewing unit/subject 'inputs' such as unit outlines, learning objectives and assessment items, along with actual samples of student assessment outcomes.  The goal was to provide opportunities for academic staff with disciplinary expertise to support one another to ensure that their approaches to assessment are valid and reliable.

Eight universities, including the University of Tasmania (UTAS), identified common final year units across a range of disciplines.  The disciplines involved in the project at UTAS were Economics, Journalism and Nursing.  Unit convenors shared unit outlines and selected assessment samples for review by at least two other project universities in Semester 1, 2012.  UTAS coordinated units with the universities of Deakin and Wollongong.

A User Guide has been developed for the inter-institutional peer review and moderation of final year subject and program achievement standards. Where relevant, capstone subjects have been used and program learning outcomes considered to identify approaches for assuring program achievement standards through inter-university moderation.

Further information is available on the project website: http://www.uws.edu.au/idvceducation/idvc_education/academic_quality_and_standards/learning_and_teaching_standards/about_the_project