Reid Kerr College
Excellent practice
Enhanced Quality Culture in Computing
New senior and operational management provided a catalyst for an enhanced quality
culture in computing. Building on good practice that already existed within the
computing section and within the wider department, computing staff and
management have transformed the section and improved the performance of the
learners.
In Session 2008-09 the computing section’s average student outcome for Full Time
courses was 67%. The team set out to challenge and support teaching staff to
provide learning and teaching experience that would fully engage learners and
deliver high-quality learning and teaching.
The team made very good use of the HMIE computing aspect report (2009) and
previous external reviews to develop an agenda for change. In reviewing their
practice, the team identified that the delivery of the computing curriculum lacked
stimulation and variety.
Accordingly, the team engaged proactively with their learners, asking them what they
wanted and expected from their courses. Learners were asked which teaching
styles they found effective, and improvements they would like to see introduced.
Staff responded well to this feedback and accessed best practice within the college
and external partner colleges. With full support from the management team, staff
introduced a number of student-centred initiatives, including
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vertical integration of courses to give teaching staff ownership of NC and HN
programmes
revised NC programmes that improved transition to HN programmes
upgrading in computing labs
staff-shadowing to improve technical expertise and encourage sharing of good
practice in teaching
monthly computing staff meetings
learner lunches to engage learners in the planning and delivery of their
programmes
a formal timekeeping and attendance policy.
These initiatives have given staff a renewed confidence in their own abilities as
professional educators and renewed their enthusiasm for teaching and learning. In
turn, this has led to improved learner experiences. Average student outcome for Full
Time courses increased to 77% in 2009-10 and to 79% in 2010-11.