Learning & Teaching Plans

The recognition that existing approaches to quality placed 'too much emphasis on institutional quality assurance and not enough on learning outcomes' has informed the principles which guide the ongoing enhancement of learning and teaching at UNSW. These principles underpin the Learning and Teaching Plan 2005-2007, which was developed through a partnership between the Committee on Education of the Academic Board and the Division of the PVC (Education and Quality Improvement).

An innovative large scale strategy has been pursued at UNSW to improve the student learning experience. It involves supporting the development and sustaining of communities in learning and teaching. This strategy is designed to be inclusive and to ensure that our staff participate and own change in learning and teaching rather than having change imposed on them.

The continual development of learning and teaching at UNSW is not based on a transmission model. It is founded on the creation of a structure to support staff as the driving force behind changes to the student learning experience. Based on principles of student-centred learning and lifelong learning, every component of staff development in learning and teaching at UNSW is built around "staff-centred development" in both the broader conception of the components and in the details. By creating strategies that encourage the development of communities of practice, cross-disciplinary learning and teaching projects have become a feature of the UNSW culture.

The Learning and Teaching Plan 2005-2007 recognises that the achievements of a high quality learning and teaching experience can only occur through supporting the engagement, input and commitment of these communities of practice.

The UNSW Learning and Teaching Plan 2005-2007 builds on the successful initiatives associated with the 2004 Learning and Teaching Plan, and sets out nine goals and related strategies for learning and teaching at UNSW:

The goals of the Learning and Teaching Plan align with and are supported by the Faculty Learning and Teaching Performance Indicators.

The Plan was intended to be a living plan and although it covered three years and there was a process to monitor progress and revise strategies in the light of ongoing developments and circumstances. At the end of 2005 and 2006 the Plan was revisited to ensure that goals remained relevant and that the strategies were being implemented in ways that were meaningful for Faculties and staff throughout UNSW. To this end, a document was produced in consultation with the Committee on Education that outlines an initial assessment of the Implementation of Strategies Linked to Goals in the UNSW Learning and Teaching Plan 2005-2007.

The 2008-2012 Learning and Teaching Enhancement Plan is now availble.