Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Finding Innovative ways of
defining and measuring quality
in adult education
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Quality must be considered within a context
Quality in Further Ed Context
External Quality Internal QualityQA Quality
management Standards Policies & Procedures
Quality in Context
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
3
EXTERNAL QA (EU/National/Inspectorate/FETAC/NALA/
Standards)
INTERNAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Centre Development planningInternal Centre EvaluationCentre Policies & Procedures
Measuring Quality
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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External Quality Assurance Environment
Centre Quality Management
Quality of StructureRespond to needs of
TEACHERQuality
ProcessesMethodologies
AttitudesSupporting learner
to achieve
LEARNER Quality of Outcomes
Improve experiencesraise their
achievements
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Focus on the Learner Provide quantitative and qualitative evidence
Use target setting and review Identify and Support the transfer of good practice
Ensure Value For Money (4 E’s) Relevant Monitor and review
Quality Adult Education Systems
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Quality assurance considers all aspects of provision.
Translate learner requirements into centre requirements. Prioritize service improvements,
Quality Assurance
InputNew learner to Service
ProcessValue Added
Centre
OutputSatisfied Learner
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Quality processes are; meaningful, understood and valued.
not seen as obligations that have to be fulfilled.
not viewed as being a distraction from the centres main purpose of learning (accredited & non-accredited).
A Culture of Quality must exist in a Centre
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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‘Quality of education affords an individual the opportunity
to participate to their full potential in society.
This will also include the development of the necessary
soft skills which aids in the holistic development of the
individual’
Project Partners Definition of Quality
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Quality cannot be directly linked to funding issues and student numbers.
Quality from the view of the Learner
Personal goals set by the learner must be flexible so that they can be changed if needed (IEP)
PROJECT TUTOR COMMENTS
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine
Cooney, Co Galway VEC
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Setting appropriate and realistic goals
Evaluation and feedback from the learner.
It is important that tutors understand the learners concept of quality and visa versa.
PROJECT TUTOR COMMENTS CONT.
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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All Parties should discuss the concept of quality – individual aims and views of quality should be treated equally.
Quality should be measured in a centre on a learner by learner basis.
Project Tutor Comments cont.
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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The ‘personal best’ of learners is important
Project Tutor Comments cont.
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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‘Quality’ How does it
feel?’
What does it feel like?
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Difficult to identify intangible quality.
It is an unseen experienced based type of quality.
It is sensual.Highly dependent on observation and openness.
Doesn’t lend itself to physical documentation.
CONCEPT OF INTANGIBLE QUALITY
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Learners Value systembased on their experiencein the centre
HOW DO WE MEASURE INTANGIBLE QUALITY
Formal & Informal Process auditing
Compliance audit of student expectation
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Learners are auditing our service and our centres. Are we getting feedback?
How do we ensure that each individual learner feels worthy of expressing their true feelings, perceptions and emotions?
Do we really encourage and stimulate the sharing of learner views and opinions?
How do we map/measure this unseen quality that is being experienced by each individual learner?
Mapping the Unseen Quality?
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning
Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Relaxed, ward and
supportive atmosphere
Purposeful and task oriented
A sense of order
Teachers can create a positive classroom
climate
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning
Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Involvement – encourage learners to become actively involved in the lesson. Use active teaching methods, discussion, guided-practice, discovery learning etc.
Equity – learners need to be clear that everyone is treated equally and fair. Apply not just to discipline but to distribution of teacher attention.
Differentiation – teacher needs to make every effort to cater for learners differently on the basis of ability, rates of learning and areas of interest.
Responsibility for own learning – need to encourage learners to perceive themselves as being in charge of their own learning, motivated by constant positive feedback and affirmation.
Creating a positive Classroom Climate
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Observation & VerificationFinding timeConversations within the centre about/with ......
Feedback & Expected outcomes Identifying Barriers & SupportsReflective thinking around practice
Sharing of good practice
Teachers can measure
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway
VEC
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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‘Quality should not be measured by a piece of paper
alone, it should be measured by what the learner gains from
the course overall’ (personal/academic)
Project Learners Definition of what Quality should/should
not be
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Prepares learners for their programme of learning
Introduces the centreHighlights the supports availableExplains learner rights and responsibilities and health and safety.
Induction is Key
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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A good Induction process makes a real difference for outlining expectation and setting the scene for future learner expectation
Initial Learner Measure
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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‘Self Assessment is at the heart of effective quality improvement’ We must facilitate our learners to self-assess using ‘objective evidence’ ie evidence that is observed, measured, verified and documented. (Nicholas & Smith Pty Ltd)
Effective planning and targeted support to help learners reach their goals is vitally important to sustain quality.
Learners can measure
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Conduct Learner Surveys/Evaluations Consult with people who are knowledgeable of the learner (internal & External)
Develop focus groups/Quality circles. Analyse Learner words Review IEP’s & IAP’s
Ways to listen to Learner Voice
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Learners may not tell us everything or they may tell us what they think we want to hear.
Learners may also change their minds.
Limitations of Learner Feedback
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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WEB WHEEL An effective Self assessment profiling tool that profiles the holistic individual learner. Can be integrated into other centre programmes (JCSP & LCA)
(LAPS) Individual Learning Action Plans are a requirement and are part of the Quality Framework.
Facilitates the concept of ‘taking the time’ to talk to the learner using a structured mentoring/key worker system.
Measures of Intangible Quality
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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.
The DVD’s containing the learner interviews from our partnering countries speak for
themselves in relation to intangible quality!
Audio Visual Measures
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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Actual Educational Service/Experience
Expected Educational Service/Experience
Augmented Educational Service/ Experience ‘Added Value’ to programmes
Attributes of a Quality Centre
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Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
Learner
Requirements
Learner
Satisfaction
Resourcing &
Supports
Management/ Staff
Responsibility
Measurement analysis
and Improvement
Service DeliveryProcess
Continuous improvement Quality Management Adult Education System
Input Output
Flow of info
Flow of info
Value Added Activities
Presentation on Quality Grundtvig Learning Partnership - Catherine Cooney, Co Galway VEC
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A Dissatisfied Learner tells eight to ten people about their experience.
A satisfied Learner tells four or five people about their experience.
Wrap your learners in a ‘quality wrapper.’
Make sure its a Quality Experience!
CONCLUSION