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1
Some Basic Observations:
External Evaluationand Accreditation as a Specific
Case of External Evaluation
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kohler, Greifswald (Germany)
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I. Terminology and Correlation
1. Definitions (Approximation)
• Evaluation: a systematic appraisal (of a HEI institution, its programmes, etc.) by experts with a view towards identifying features of quality in relevant areas in order to induce and support improvement
• Accreditation: a type of evaluation (see above) with a view towards identifying the accomplishment of certain ‘standards’ (‘threshold concept’) – usually in order to judge on the validity (admissability, in various kinds: e.g., right to operate; funding, ‘quality label’) of the object to be appraised
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2. Common Features
• Purpose: Instruments of Quality Assurance
• Focus: Open; e.g., programmes, institutions, processes, or specific features (such as student support systems)
• Methodology, in major aspects: Self-assessment report; peer/expert review; site visit; judgment on existing features of quality; conclusions; final report
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3. Differences: in theory
• Outcome: advisory (e) – granting/denying rights (a; usually)
• Style: collegial (e) – authoritative (a)
• Atmosphere: (more) frank (e) – (more) self-protective (a)
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II. Bridging Differences
1. Levelling theoretic differences in practice:
• De facto, accreditation reports often also include elements of (mere) advice/ recommendation
• Evaluation findings may be included in accreditation fact-finding
• Due to de-facto overlap: Style of collegiality and atmosphere of frankness in evaluation processes may suffer
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2. The accreditation concept of matching threshold standards revisited:
to be detailed hereafter
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III. Quality concepts – different or convergent?
1. (Main) Quality Definitions and Options:
• excellence
• fitness of, and for purpose
• matching directives (complying with curricular templates)
• meeting thresholds (complying with standards)
• client/customer satisfaction
• value for money/time invested (efficiency)
• individual enhancement (transformation)
• (institutional) capacity for change
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2. (Traditional) Approach of Accreditation (?):Compliance/Matching (threshold) standards
Model template/threshold (t): features a(t) + b(t) + c(t) + … + z(t)
Sketching the concept:
Criterion: compliance/identity
Concrete programme (p): features a(p) + b(p) + c(p) + … + z(p)
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Fitness of purpose
Fitness for purpose
(1) Objectives: valid
(2) Concept: fitting
(3) Implementation: true
(4) Monitoring: honest
(5) Enhancement: timely
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4. Moving accreditation towards fitness of/for purposeapproach
• Per se/as such: shift in methodology of programme accreditation
• Via institutional approaches: shift from programme level to institutional steering of quality related processes (‘quality audit’);
Sketching the concept:
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programme (object of activity)
iteration/enhancement objective – concept – implementation – monitoring
process steering the quality cycle
institution (active subject)
actors action interaction(quality culture and management support; int’l and ext’l communication, transparency, decision-making, setting milestones, et al)
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IV. Making Evaluation and Accreditation Match
Programme approach Institutional approach
compliance autonomous process of development
holistic entity
model template/ threshold oriented
fitness of and for purpose-oriented
study programme steering
(not con-sidered here)
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Explanation:Italics, ordinary: tradit. accreditationItalics, bold: evaluation, plus ‘new’ accreditation
(of programmes)Bold print: institutional capacity for steering
programme quality (evaluation – accreditation/audit)
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2. Identity via common denominators (I); e.g.: Role of qualifications framework
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The European Higher Education Qualifications Framework: System Survey© J. Kohler, Greifswald/Germany
pro forma in substance
cycles qualifications descriptor elements
3rd
cycl
e2n
d cy
cle
degree
degree
degree
specific competences
specific competences
specific competences
Transparency (e.g. diploma supplement); reliability; verifiability; quality assurance
gene
ric/
gene
ral a
cade
mic
, so
cial
, per
sona
l com
pete
nces
subj
ect r
elat
ed (
prof
ile)
quan
tita
tive
: (cr
edit
poi
nts,
EC
TS
)
qualitative
lev e
l 1le
vel 2
leve
l 3
or other certification
attribution
1st c
ycle
orientation: learning outcomes
shor
tpr
ogra
mm
e (o
ptio
nal)
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3. Identity via common denominators (II); e.g.: Role of ECTS
Entrepreneurial University/Individuality
Individual Programme/Curriculum
Macro-(programme-)-level
Micro("module"-)level
quantitative qualitative
ECTS 1a
Bachelor:180/240Master: - 300
quality /recognition/mobility
1 ECTS-functions1a Regulatory effects: 1b Procedural effects:
a) targeted reflection on quality: workload/per module def. of module by learning outcomes learning outcomes as development of competencies
b) compilatory: transferability by means of accumulative (assessment) structure ECTAS
Learning Outcomes Competencies 2: academic
quality + employability + citizenship+ personal development
2 a) employability ./. acad.qualityb) competencies ./. disciplinary material subject related generic („social skills“)
„Product“,Programme:acad. quality + employability
3 a) transparency diploma supplement
b) common denominators: competencies; quantities
c) Lisbon Convention: "presumption of quality"
d) scope for differentiation
coherence(menue, not cafeteria)
"tuning" (?)
process 1b Imp
lem
enta
tion
, pro
gram
me-
rela
ted
-aim
s-s
kill
s-d
idac
tics
Technical: -frames (standardisation);Substantial: -accumulation
Licensing/Quality assurance:-accreditation-evaluation
Modelling „Bologna Reforms“ via ECTS © J.Kohler, Greifswald/Germany
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x ECTS = y h workl. manage- 30 800/900 h ability
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