September 2012

Discover and Understand will be launched in the Autumn with publicity being rolled out during Intro week. Richard Ward is working with the Student Union on roll out of an interactive student website to promote the event.

The new Toolkit for Learning and Teaching will go live on 17 September 2012.

It offers support to you in your academic role and provides the information you need to give your students the best possible learning experience.

This resource gives good practice hints and tips and shares a wide range of examples for delivering teaching from across the University, combined with guidance on relevant University and national policies.  http://www.shef.ac.uk/lets/toolkit

National Student Survey (NSS)

The University has now received its results from this year’s NSS.

Initial analysis indicates that the overall student satisfaction rate for the University remains at 90%. A new question this year asked about satisfaction with the Students’ Union – the response here was 95%. Results from the rest of the sector will be available on 17 September 2012.

Key Information Set (KIS) The University has submitted its KIS return to HESA which covers Learning, Teaching and Assessment Methods (e.g. the number of contact hours and types of assessments), fees, accommodation costs, and information about the accreditation of programmes.

This data will be published along with information from the NSS and the Destination of Leaver (DHLE) results on a newly launched Unistats web-site on 24 September. Prospective students will be able to compare information for different institutions.

Key messages for academics who teach 

The VC is signatory to a mailing to all academics who teach that contains key learning and teaching messages for 2012-13 in a highly visible format.

Based on findings from last year’s project 2012, the pen holder will ‘pop-up’ onto your desk during the week of 17 September.

QAA Institutional Review the Self Evaluation Document  is nearing completion and will be submitted w/c 24 September. The Self Evaluation Document is the principal means by which the University sets out how it meets the expectations of the QAA for learning and teaching.

Arts Tower Heritage Open Day - This September the University of Sheffield will once again be participating in the Heritage Open Days Event on Friday 7th September by opening up its iconic Arts Tower to the public. One-hour tours will take place throughout the day from 10.00am to 4.30pm and will include demonstrations and exhibits from the School of Architecture on floors 13 and 16. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be available on Floor 13 during the tours. Please book onto one of the tours via the website (shef.ac.uk/diaryofevents).

We are working closely with the Sheffield International College (SIC) on their Periodic Review, providing the external panel members.  The event is on 14 September.  College staff have found that the process has helped hem reflect on their provision and identify areas for improving the student experience.