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Education Committee Meeting 3-2005Meeting 3/2005 of the Education Committee was held on Wednesday, 18 May 2005, in the Clayfield Room, Building A1, Caulfield campus, between 2:25 pm and 4:00 pm. There were present: Professor A Lindsay (chair), Ms J Allen, Dr D Corrigan, Associate Professor I Snyder, Professors R Alfredson, D Arnott and J Waincymer, Associate Professor T Luff, Dr L McCall, Associate Professor L Roller, Dr C Varsavsky, Professor D Kirkpatrick, Associate Professor A Farley, Ms G Key, Mr L Ostroburski, Mr D Taft, Mr A Wasiak, Associate Professors M Lindorff and M Page, Ms S Stafford, Mr T Hogan, Ms A Shelton, Mr N Wilkins and Dr A Onsman. In attendance were: Ms S Chong (Secretary) and Ms C Monahan. MINUTES OF MEETINGPart A Procedural and Policy Matters *1. ATTENDANCE, MEMBERSHIP AND APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Professor M Evans, Associate Professor Y Ryan, Professor T Dingle, Dr D Taylor, Dr T Patti, Professor M King, Associate Professor S Joy and Mr C Vernon. The Chair welcomed Associate Professor Brenton Doecke (in absentia), replacing Associate Professor Ilana Snyder. Dr Debbie Corrigan, Faculty of Education is a returning member, replacing Dr Gaell Hildebrand. On behalf of the Committee, the Chair welcomed Mr Arthur Wasiak, the new undergraduate student member from MONSU Peninsula, Mr Noel Wilkins, Office of the Director Learning and Teaching, Dr Andrys Onsman, CeLTS, and Ms Ann Shelton, Solicitor’s Office, who were invited to attend the meeting, and Ms Cassandra Monahan, who attended as an observer. *2. STARRED ITEMS The Committee noted that certain items had been starred as requiring discussion and endorsed the recommendations for all items other than those starred. *3. MINUTES Documentation was previously circulated. Action: The minutes of Education Committee Meeting 2/2005, held on 16 March 2005, were approved. Action/Information: Shana Chong *4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 4.1 Faculty Course Offerings and Supporting Regulations RMO2002/0835 RMO1997/1365 Following discussion at Meeting 2/2005, the Education Committee received reports from the Faculties of Art and Design, Arts, Business and Economics, Education, Information Technology, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Science regarding the status of updating their course of study and award regulations. Further documentation from the Faculty of Pharmacy was tabled and is attached to the Minutes (Attachment 1). The Chair thanked Associate Deans Teaching and Faculty Managers for their work in preparing the initial reports and advised that further action plans were requested regarding those regulations that needed to be updated to ensure university-wide compliance with the regulations. The Chair advised that faculties should aim to get their regulations updated by the end of 2005. Ms Ann Shelton, Solicitor’s Office, was invited to provide comments and further advice to faculties. Ms Shelton advised on progress to date, commented on the form and breadth of the status reports provided and advised that she would be in contact with faculties where further clarification on their reports was required. It was noted that a proactive stance in the review process should be encouraged in faculties to get all the awards regulations up to date and faculties were responsible for updating the course of study regulations, in consultation with the Solicitor’s office. Members noted that the proposed timeline would be communicated to the Faculty Managers Group. The Secretary would circulate copies of the status reports to Faculty Managers. Members noted that the work implemented by faculties to date, demonstrated effective governance practices in the university. Action: The Education Committee:
Action/Information: Associate Deans Teaching, Faculty Managers/Registrars, Ms A Shelton 5. ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM ACADEMIC BOARD MEETING 1/2005 RMO2004/0611 Members noted that the Academic Board had noted all matters that were submitted via the Report of Meeting 1/2005 of the Education Committee. *6. COURSE DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL SYSTEM RMO1997/1365 Documentation from the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) was tabled and is attached to the Minutes (Attachment 2). The Chair spoke to this item and Ms Sally Stafford, Director, UAPS, was invited to provide commentary. The Education Committee noted at Meetings 2/2003 and 5/2004 advice regarding a future review of the course approval system and possible changes that could arise to the procedures for course and unit approvals in faculties as a result of the review being undertaken by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic). The Chair advised that the Course Development Template and Costing Model had been updated but that the academic policy for establishing and amending coursework courses and units had not changed. The Chair guided members through updates to the new proformas on course proposals. Members noted that the proformas and procedures had been updated and reorganised for the purposes of simplification and user-friendliness, and to refine procedures to minimise instances where courses had "slipped through". The improvements made were based on comments made by users and senior faculty staff consulted in 2004. The Chair highlighted amendments to the Course Proposal template format, including:
Suggestions were noted, including:
Members were asked to view the documentation and refer comments to Ms Sally Stafford. The re-developed documents will be available from the new UAPS website, located at: http://www.uaps.monash.edu.au/. The Committee further noted advice from the Chair about the likelihood of review and change to the devolution of unit and course approvals and faculties were advised to take steps to appraise the current approach. Action: The Education Committee noted the briefing provided by the Chair and Ms Sally Stafford, Director, UAPS, on the updating of the format and procedures of the Course Development and Approval System. Action/Information: members, Faculty Manager/Registrars *7. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY PROJECT RMO2001/1114 Documentation was circulated. The tabled papers are attached to the Minutes (Attachment 3). Briefing papers were provided by the Faculties of Art and Design, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Pharmacy and Science. Professor Denise Kirkpatrick, Director Learning and Teaching, introduced the item and the Committee was introduced to Mr Noel Wilkins, Project Officer, who was invited to speak about the project. The Academic Integrity Project (AIP) was established in 2004 and funded in 2005 as a university priority project, led by the Director Learning and Teaching, in consultation with ITS and UAPS. The project was intended to advance on existing procedures on encouraging good referencing practices, with a focus on staff and student education. Professor Kirkpatrick highlighted that the Melbourne-Monash collaboration had made considerable advancement on a number of academic integrity issues and the AIP project team were in discussions with the University of Melbourne regarding their findings. Members noted that the third sub-project, the implementation of a mechanism for identifying and minimising plagiarism, would commence in semester two with the trial of the text-matching software program Turnitin. Professional development programs for teaching staff (through HEDU) would be run prior to the implementation of the pilot. Members noted that the pilot was part of a larger educational program within the AIP project and the results of the pilot and project would be evaluated, prior to a decision being made about a university-wide plagiarism detection system. The Committee noted that student and staff participation in the trial would be voluntary. Faculties were encouraged to emphasise that the focus of the project was on pedagogy and student/teacher education, noting that the pilot was anticipated to rollout in September 2005. The Committee noted that potential participants in the pilot had been called for and Mr Wilkins agreed to conduct further consultations with faculties, noting the expression of interest from the Faculty of Science. (Secretarial Note: Following the meeting the faculties of Arts, Business and Economics and Education have confirmed expressions of interest in participating in the pilot). The Committee also noted that the student members had been invited to join the project committee, and Mr Wilkins would be in contact with student members about their involvement. Mr Wilkins highlighted the focus on encouraging good referencing practice and minimising student plagiarism. It was agreed that information about the outcomes of the pilot project would be reported back to Education Committee for information. Mr Wilkins conveyed thanks to the Chair, Professor Kirkpatrick and to faculties for their responses. Action: The Education Committee:
Action/Information: members, Mr N Wilkins *8. SCHEDULE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEARNING AND TEACHING PLAN RMO2002/1564 Documentation was circulated. Professor Denise Kirkpatrick, Director Learning and Teaching, spoke to this item. Members were advised that the successive Learning and Teaching Plan was intended to build on the accomplishments of the LTP 2003-2005, incorporate the directions set by Monash 2025 and the priority areas identified in the 2005 Planning Conference. Members noted the initial work plan and time lines, noting that the work would be led by the Office of the Director Learning and Teaching, guided by the scoping-steering group, and it is envisaged that the Plan would be transmitted to Council (through Education Committee and Academic Board) for approval in October 2005. The Plan would involve rounds of university and student consultation through its reference group, a website, a planned conference and across committees. In response to a query, Professor Kirkpatrick acknowledged that the Values for High-Quality Teaching and Learning, produced by the Quality Subcommittee, would be a source document for the new plan. It was noted that the recommendations provided in the annual reports to the Quality Subcommittee from faculties (six annual reports had been received to date) would include information on practices and improvements in teaching and learning issues, areas of best practice in teaching and learning in the faculty and university, and aspects of teaching and learning that required improvement. Members provided feedback to the Plan and it was noted that the availability of central funds to support the plan would assist its implementation across faculties and campuses. Action: The Education Committee noted the advice of Professor Kirkpatrick in relation to the schedule for the development of the Learning and Teaching Plan. Action/Information: members *9. FACULTY OF EDUCATION ANALYSIS OF DATA RMO1999/0182 Documentation was circulated. This item was originally referred to the Committee of Associate Deans Teaching for discussion. Associate Professor Ilana Snyder, the immediate past Associate Dean Teaching (Postgraduate), was invited to speak to this item. The Committee noted that the analysis provided the Faculty with information on student perspectives and identified areas for improvement within the Faculty, its campuses and across its course offerings. Associate Professor Snyder informed the Committee that work on improving the quality of placements/fieldwork, monitoring its psychology and early childhood programs, and reviewing its faculty assessment policy was underway, following analysis of the feedback provided by students in the MEQ. Professor Lindsay thanked the Faculty of Education for its report, subsequent to the reports previously submitted by the Faculties of Arts (CADeT Meeting 3/2004) and Business and Economics (CADeT Meeting 4/2004), and invited members to forward any further analyses undertaken on faculty responses to the MEQ to the Committee. Action: The Education Committee noted the advice of Associate Professor Snyder and received the report of the analysis of the 2003 MEQ data, prepared by the Faculty of Education. Action/Information: members *10. OTHER BUSINESS 10.1 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Higher Education Accreditation Scheme Correspondence from the Department of Defence to the Vice Chancellor was tabled at the meeting and is attached (Attachment 4). The Chair highlighted to members the brief from the ADF regarding possible new arrangements in the provision of higher education programs to achieve advanced standing for officers. It was noted that alternative arrangements with tertiary institutions that would provide undergraduate or specialist degrees were being reviewed by the Defence Force. The Chair invited members to consult with colleagues about the possible opportunities of this scheme for Monash and invited members to provide him with feedback or cc correspondence regarding the ADF Higher Education Scheme to his office. Action: The Education Committee noted the advice of the Chair regarding the Australian Defence Force concept for possible partnerships with tertiary institutions to deliver academic programs that would provide a pre-determined level of ‘advanced standing’ towards undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications. Action/Information: members 10.2 Chair of the Committee The Committee noted comments made by Professor Lindsay in his last meeting as Chair as he was about to commence Outside Studies Program leave in midyear until his retirement. Professor Lindsay thanked members for their valuable support and contribution to the Committee and acknowledged those who have held long serving memberships, and reflected on the professional and collegiate approach demonstrated by all. He commended the Education Committee and the Committee of Associate Deans Teaching as the focal areas for teaching and learning issues in the university, in recognition of the outcomes that have arisen from these committees. Members noted that an announcement on the new chair was yet to be made. In turn, the Committee noted comments made in recognition of Professor Lindsay’s achievements as Chair of the Committee since 1997. His contributions were recognised in the areas of fostering the spirit of cooperation and teamwork within the University through his leadership, and achievements in the area of course development planning process and course approvals. 10.3 Summer Semester Teaching Periods Secretarial note: Documentation for this item was circulated for approval via email to members on 23 May 2005. No objections were received and the following recommendations were approved: That the teaching period SC-01 (Summer C: 1 Sept – 31 Dec) be disestablished and that unit enrolments in this teaching period be moved to either T3-58 (Trimester 3: 15 Aug – 9 Dec) or T4-57 (Term 4: 1 Oct – 31 Dec). That the teaching period SA-01 (Summer A: 1 Nov – End Feb) and SB-01 (Summer B: 1 Jan – End Feb) remain. Action/Information: Mr G Toohey PART B: FACULTY REPORTS AND PROPOSALS There are no items under this section for this meeting. PART C: NEXT MEETING The next scheduled meeting of the Education Committee (Meeting 4/2005) will be held at 2:15 pm on Wednesday, 13 July 2005. Important Note: The meeting will be held at Rooms 1139 and 1140, Building 903, Berwick campus. All final submissions for the agenda for that meeting are due by Wednesday, 29 June 2005. Membership: Professor Alan Lindsay (Chair) Ms Jenny Allen Dr Heinz Kreutz Professor Tony Dingle Associate Professor Sally Joy Dr Debbie Corrigan Associate Professor Brenton Doecke Professor Robin Alfredson Professor William Young Professor David Arnott Professor Jeffrey Waincymer Associate Professor Tony Luff Dr Louise McCall Associate Professor Louis Roller Dr David Taylor Dr Cristina Varsavsky Dr Tony Patti Professor Max King Professor Chris Browne Professor Merran Evans Professor Denise Kirkpatrick Professor Graham Webb Associate Professor Alan Farley Ms Glenda Key Mr Leo Ostroburski, MONSU – Caulfield Mr Arthur Wasiak, MONSU – Peninsula Mr David Taft, MSA – Clayton Mr Max Ribitzky, MUBS – Berwick Mr Kirk Slywa, MUGSU - Gippsland Pharmacy Students Association – position vacant MPA – masters by coursework – position vacant MPA – graduate/postgraduate diploma – position vacant In Attendance: Mr Clive Vernon Mr Peter Yates (alternate for Mr P Marshall) Ms Christine Cooze (alternate for Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree) Dr Andrys Onsman (alternate for Associate Professor Valerie Clifford) Associate Professor Yoni Ryan Associate Professor Marg Lindorff Associate Professor Michael Page Ms Shana Chong (Secretary) Further Distribution: Faculty Managers/Registrars (*9) Mr T Calder Ms P Williams Ms P Herman Ms S Stafford Ms B Le Grand |