Student Engagement with the new QAA Enhancement Theme 08 Dec 2011
The new QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) enhancement theme, Developing and Supporting the Curriculum, offers an ideal opportunity for students to influence the shape of higher education in Scotland and to further embrace our approach of working in partnership to meet… Read More
Student Partnership Agreements 08 Dec 2011
In the Efficient, Flexible Learner Journeys section of the post 16 review the paper identifies an intention to develop Student Partnership Agreements (SPAs): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/09/15103949/3 The paper refers to wanting “learners to have a strong voice in shaping their experience” and sets… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON... The University of Dundee 08 Dec 2011
This issue’s SPOTLIGHT ON... focuses on The University of Dundee, which has identified improving feedback to students on assessments as an important priority for development. The university is working with sparqs to develop a resource which encourages staff and students… Read More
The QUEST for Quality by Students Continues 08 Dec 2011
Led by the European Student Union (ESU) the QUEST project aims to find out how students are involved in quality across Europe, what their views on quality assurance and enhancement are, and how they can be more effectively involved. The… Read More
Developing a Student Engagement Framework 08 Dec 2011
We have concluded a period of research on what we all understand by the term student engagement. In total 46 pictures of student engagement have been obtained from a series of workshops with stakeholders from colleges, universities and sector agencies.… Read More
Supporting International Students Training Pack 08 Dec 2011
sparqs and NUS Scotland are pleased to launch a training package for FE and HE institutions to support international students. Aimed at institutional staff with responsibility for international students and students’ associations, the training is a comprehensive resource that provides… Read More
Staff Workshop: available now for Autumn staff development days 12 Jul 2011
Our redeveloped staff workshop is now available to all institutions, having been launched by at the sparqs National Conference in March 2011. Focusing on engaging students in the quality of learning and teaching, the highly interactive and reflective workshop explores the… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON... Banff & Buchan College 12 Jul 2011
This month’s SPOTLIGHT ON looks at peer-led feedback at Banff & Buchan College. Students’ Association Officers, supported by the College Student Engagement Officer, piloted class forums in the Business and Computing Sector of the College. Students commented “we like this as… Read More
sparqs Steering Committee 12 Jul 2011
After many years of offering sparqs support, guidance and direction David Bottomley and Jane Denholm are stepping down from the Steering Committee. Both Jane and David have served on the steering committee since its inception in 2003. Jane, from Critical Thinking,… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON... EUSA's class rep learning lunches 05 May 2011
Described by reps as an opportunity for “networking, representation, and communication,” EUSA’s Learning Lunches have become a fun and effective way of supporting class reps. Lunches are held approximately once a month and include short, informative presentations delivered by key members… Read More
College Sector Participants wanted for departmental representation project 05 May 2011
Over the coming year, sparqs’ project on departmental representation will be developing resources to assist institutions and students’ associations to enhance the way they engage students at the departmental level – structures which are often also called faculties, schools or… Read More
Pilot scheme for Institutional Associate Trainers for 2011 05 May 2011
This coming academic year (2011-12), sparqs will be running a pilot programme with four institutions extending the expertise gained through our ongoing Associate Trainer Scheme for delivering Course Representative Training. The institutions taking part in the pilot scheme are University of… Read More
Quest for Quality by Students (QUEST) 05 May 2011
sparqs is involved in an ESU (European Students Union) led European Commission funded project called QUEST which aims to define a pan-European student concept of quality in learning and teaching within higher education institutions. This will then be used by… Read More
SFC/HEA Embedding Equality and Diversity in the Curriculum Programme 2011 05 May 2011
Researchers from the team managing the Special Interest Group element of a three year project have contacted sparqs to help publicise the opportunity for students to contribute to the research. Further details of the project are available on the HEA… Read More
SLEEC launched at NUS Conference 07 Mar 2011
The Student Learning Enhancement and Engagement Campaign (SLEEC) works to make sure students are able to shape all areas of their learning experience. Student engagement in learning and teaching and students working in partnership with their institutions are key priorities… Read More
Work underway in other nations on Key Information Set 07 Mar 2011
Work is underway in England and Northern Ireland to develop a Key Information Set or KIS. The work stems from a perceived need by UK government to improve the provision, use and impact of public information and its importance is… Read More
