Category Archives: For Universities

Mea Universitas

by Dawid Wosik

Abstract

Mea Universitas (latin) is the culmination of a two-stage study conducted at Poznan University of Economics, Poland, in 2004. The findings of the study were then validated over the course of 15 years both in Poland and in the United Arab Emirates. The concept of Mea Universitas is based on the premise that quality is a result – the result of being aware, therefore, disseminating quality awareness is the only possible way to enhance quality in academia and elsewhere. It implicates that the more complex perspective there is, the easier – more transparent and obvious it is to decide and prioritize – it is to assure and manage quality. Mea Universitas = my university.

Keywords: quality, awareness, mea universitas, academia, education quality

Outline description

Introduction

This paper is based on the study conducted in Poland, in 2004, the results of which were validated over the course of 15 years both in Poland and the United Arab Emirates. The study consisted of two stages. The first stage of the study was an in-depth interview conducted among chairs of the Polish accreditation agencies. The second stage of the study was quantitative research, targeting chairs, deans and directors of academic units offering academic programs, which were accredited.

Research method

The main aim of the research was to assess the effectiveness of university accreditation in the process of improving quality management in Polish higher education, as well as to identify possibilities and needs of supplementing the accreditation standards and processes. The author adopted the requirements of ISO 9001:2000, the most common global standard for a quality management system, as the basis for research in this area. There were one main hypothesis and two secondary hypotheses put forward. The main hypothesis was that increasing the effectiveness of independent (non-state and voluntary) Polish accreditation depends on supplementing the standards with requirements initiating the improvement of quality management. As auxiliary hypotheses it were assumed that:

  • The establishment of the Polish Accreditation Committee (state and mandatory accreditation) does not exclude the legitimacy and the need for existence of the independent, formed by university associations, accreditation agencies (university accreditation);
  • Improving the quality of higher education depends primarly on meeting the accreditation requirements for systemic acquisition and dissemination of information.

Research results

In the light of the theoretical research conducted, the effectiveness of university accreditation can be considered from two different perspectives. The first is the undoubted added value for graduates of the accredited major, the second – the implementation of quality assurance-oriented organizational solutions at university stimulates the improvement of the quality of education.

A positive verification of the main hypothesis took into account that increasing the effectiveness of university accreditation depends on supplementing the standards with requirements initiating the improvement of quality management. Based on the analysis of the qualititative and quantitative data, it should be concluded that:

  • First, the usefulness of university accreditation results primarily from meeting the standards, which can be defined as elements specific to quality management or more broadly, knowledge management. The essence of their use is the absorption and dissemination of knowledge. At the same time, this conclusion leads to the positive verification of the second of the auxiliary hypotheses;
  • Secondly, the system elements included in the ISO 9001:2000 standard, such as setting quality objectives, management review and an internal audit, are complementary to accreditation standards and it is justified to use them in the aspect of balancing university accreditation;
  • Thirdly, although the establishment of the Polish Accreditation Committee does not undermine the legitimacy of the university accreditation agencies (as independent and non-mandatory means of accreditation), university accreditation should distinguish a university unit or program on the higher education market. This, in turn, determines that a greater emphasis should be placed on the sphere of quality management with special focus given to such practices, which determine the improvement of processes implemented in a university.

Implications

  1. Quality is a measure. It is neutral, unless put into a context.
  2. Quality is a function of awareness – it is indefinite in its description.
  3. Only awareness of the relevant quality attributes will allow one to define what quality is and what it measures.
  4. Awareness serves as a means of contextualization.
  5. Quality awareness is a function of dissemination, communication and knowledge sharing.

Considering the above, it is certain to the author that quality is a result – the result of being aware and spreading quality awareness is the prerequisite for quality to be enhanced.

Mea Universitas is a concept based on the premise that quality is a result – the result of being aware, hence an inevitable way forward for quality assurance agencies is to disseminate quality awareness – the awareness of requirements, approaches, tools and best practices in the field of quality assurance, institutional research and quality management in higher education, among all interested parties.

It is a university, that today is obliged to offer programs which tomorrow will have an impact on the quality of life of its graduates and the quality of life of society in general.

Disseminating quality awareness in higher education is to help various groups of stakeholders, including the following:

  • University candidates and students, who are planning to start their studies and those who are studying already;
  • University faculty and staff, who offer educational services;
  • Employers and society, who use education either directly or indirectly.

The activities of all quality assurance agencies in higher education should be driven by the principle of social justice and should be based on the belief that every citizen of any country is fully entitled to the largest possible access to the objective data, information and knowledge that helps them make the best choice on a university that meets minimum quality standards. Their activities should advocate integrity through awareness of quality.

References

https://www.mea-universitas.com/

Wosik D. (2009) Towards Excellence in Higher Education through Quality Awareness. Available at: https://www.inqaahe.org/sites/default/files/pictures/26_Wosik_Towards%20excellence%20in%20HE%20trough%20quality%20awareness.pdf (Accessed: November 2020).

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Measuring the Quality of the Assessment Process: Dealing with Grading Inconsistency

Here is the link to the paper, which examines an assessment process within the context of quality, accountability and institutional effectiveness in academia.

Considered as one of the key processes, which has an impact on teaching and learning, assessment plays a significant role in shaping a holistic picture of quality as well as the academic performance of a higher education institution. It is of utmost importance that appropriate requirements are established, applied consistently and communicated effectively among various groups of stakeholders. The lack of a systematic approach in this matter as well as the lack of specific performance measures of the assessment process misshape the image of students’ (and graduates’) academic capacity.

References:

Wosik, D. (2014) Measuring the quality of the assessment process: dealing with grading inconsistency. Practitioner Research in Higher Education, 8(1). pp. 32-40.

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Grade Inflation and its Impact on Quality in Higher Education

by Dawid Wosik

Grade inflation in teaching and learning, in assessing the achievement of student learning outcomes to be precise, seems to be a day-to-day practice in higher education (e.g. Millet, 2010; http://gradeinflation.com/, 2013; Pressman, 2007).

What grades do most of the students actually receive? What is it that proudly stands on their diplomas? Is it a “C”?

Considering grade inflation a common and world-wide trend, it is worth discussing what its most frequent and severe consequences are. What kind of impact does the grade inflation have on the quality of teaching and learning?

There are many perspectives to take into consideration while analyzing the possible effects of grade inflation. One of them is the student’s perspective – and to which extent grade inflation has an impact on student engagement in learning. There is no doubt that the student engagement will depend on how assessment and grades reflect his/her actual academic performance (Asante et al., 2012). Will the student engage further if (s)he gets an “A” without putting too much effort to obtain it? What about the best of the best in the class? What sort of influence will such a situation have on their morale (if they receive the same grades as those who simply don’t deserve it)?

The employer’s perspective, on the other hand, indicates potential difficulties in recruiting graduates. Just imagine 100+ candidates with an “A” on their diplomas? Who is in fact the best candidate among all the applicants? The employer would be confused and would not be able to make any decision based on the overall Grade Point Average (GPA). There is no distinction between the quality of the candidates in this matter.
The state, on the other side, recognizes the quality of the degrees with its authority and an emblem printed on the diploma.

Considering the importance of assessment in assuring quality of a degree, the assessment criteria need to be communicated effectively among all interested parties. “The criteria for and method of assessment as well as criteria for marking are published in advance (…) [to allow] students to demonstrate the extent to which the intended learning outcomes have been achieved. Students are given feedback, which, if necessary, is linked to advice on the learning process” ( EURASHE, 2015).
What does it mean if a student gets an “A”, “B”, “C”, etc.? Does a “C” mean that the student has met the basic course requirements in the course syllabus? Do “A” and “B” mean that a student has exceeded the course requirements?

Assessing students is one of the processes in higher education which unquestionably has a significant impact on the overall quality of a university. The lack of requirements and regulations in this matter, as well as the lack of specific quality measures, result in a false image of students’, and consequently, graduates’ academic ability and performance.

What needs to be measured then and what kind of information needs to be disseminated within an implemented and maintained quality assurance system? Is there anything that needs to be taken into consideration while evaluating the performance of a teacher? Grade distribution (not necessarily having the Gaussian distribution as the standard to follow), the difference between the course work and the final exam results, common examinations (Bond, 2009) are only the examples of measuring grade consistency.

There are many practical solutions to this matter. Their efficiency will depend on a particular context which a university or a college operates in. There is no doubt though that this aspect of the learning process is critical while managing an overall academic performance. Accordingly, this implies the necessity of having implemented sufficient mechanisms to manage the quality of the assessment process.

For more about quality of the assessment process, see: Measuring the Quality of the Assessment Process: Dealing with Grading Inconsistency.

References:

[1] Asante C., Al-Mahrooqi R., Abrar-ul-Hassan S., The Effects of Three Teachers Variables on the Use of Motivational Strategies in EFL Instruction in Oman, “TESOL Arabia Perspectives”, Vol. 19, No. 1, January 2012, p. 12-22.
[2] Bond, L. (2009). The Case for Common Examination. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Retrieved January 23, 2013 from http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/perspectives/case-common-examinations.
[3] European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area, Brussels, 2015.
[4] GradeInflation.com, Grade Inflation at American Colleges and Universities, retrieved January 23rd, 2013 from http://gradeinflation.com.
[5] Millet I., Improving Grading Consistency through Grade Lift Reporting, “Practical Assessment Research & Evaluation”, Vol. 15, No. 4, May 2010.
[6] Pressman S., The Economics of Grade Inflation, “Challenge”, vol. 50, no. 5, September/October 2007, pp. 93–102.

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What Education Entails: A Teacher’s Perspective

by Sule Berilgen Duzgun

I strongly believe that teaching in fact is learning. It is reciprocal because as we teach we learn and teach as we learn. Thus, for learning to take place, both the student and the teacher have to be actively engaged in the learning process. This will in fact have a direct impact in the classroom and encourage teachers to provide a positive learning environment which will directly affect the motivation of learners in the classroom. The teacher’s primary role then is to learn about the student profile; their culture, previous learning experiences and the possible reasons for their desire to learn. It is only then that a teacher can develop ways of enhancing the learning process for learners and encourage learners in reaching their optimal potential.

In addition, a teacher cannot ensure communication with learners unless he/she is able to establish a positive environment in which there is mutual respect. The boundaries should be set so that respect does not develop due to fear but because of the desire to learn.

My belief as a teacher is that education does not only entail the teaching of a particular subject but also the sharing of knowledge. Thus, it is imperative to incorporate general knowledge and global issues across the curriculum.

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Publish your point of view

Our mission is to disseminate quality awareness in higher education.

You are more than welcome to voice your insights about quality in higher education. Each of your entries for publishing will be considered individually.

Should you have any ideas or questions, please contact us via our FanPage.

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Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area

by Dawid Wosik

Adopted by Bologna Ministers in 2005 Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area outline the requirements for quality assurance within the European Higher Education Area. In the context of the internal factors determining quality in higher education, the first part of the guidelines, i.e.: „Standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance” gains great significance. Although the chapter presents some components of an internal quality assurance system, it doesn’t mention any specific and practical solutions and mechanisms. It is up to an individual institution how the standards will be addressed.

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University Quality Profile

Mea Universitas aims to promote high standards of quality with special focus on effective solutions in the field of quality assurance and quality management in higher education. We encourage you to share your institutional knowledge, make yourself a role model to follow by others and promote your university among prospective students and partners.

Each submission for the “University Quality Profile” will be considered individually. Should you be interested or have any further questions, please contact us via Mea Universitas’ FanPage.

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