Performance
Background
Macquarie University has developed a Quality Enhancement Framework as part of a process to embed a culture of continuous improvement. The Framework was developed to assist the University to meet its ambitious goals set out in Macquarie@50 (PDF, 176k) which form the basis of the Academic Plan.
Enabling Performance
Professional development in learning and teaching is provided to both full-time and sessional academic staff:
- Learning and teaching development is provided through the Learning and Teaching Centre
- The provision of a suite of Learning and Teaching Grants
The use of technology to support the academic purposes of the University and further student learning and engagement are supported by:
- Management Advisory Committee for Academic Learning Technologies (MACALT), and
- Blueprint for the Future Project
Teaching Quality Indicators
A key input to the Quality Enhancement Framework is teaching performance data:
- It is included amongst evidence for effectiveness as a teacher in the promotion process (see Academic Promotion Policy).
- Probation reviews are conducted in accord with the Performance Management System. This requires the submission of course materials and student evaluations to substantiate claims about effective teaching.
The measurement of performance in learning and teaching is problematic as many of the existing measures are indirect and a proxy measure of quality outcomes. Macquarie University participated in the National Teaching Quality Indicators Project and has developed this into a further project into developing both teaching and teacher standards.
Rewarding Performance
Macquarie seeks to reward staff for their learning and teaching, programs and services that contribute to student learning and the quality of the student experience through: