Graduate attributes and career readiness:

From here to where?

Elizabeth DeaneWIL symposium July 2014

One definition: The broad skills that a University expects that graduates will have acquired and be able to demonstrate to an appropriate level whatever their program of study.Are linked to employability skills and program learning outcomes.

An example of how presented:XXX is committed to producing graduates who demonstrate the Graduate Attributes. Students are presented with appropriate learning, teaching, and assessment experiences to enable them to develop and demonstrate the XXX Graduate Attributes. The XXX Graduate Attributes are explicitly communicated to staff and students in all course and unit documentation.

What are graduate attributes?

Why? (i) The regulatory environment and public accountabilityThe AQF, TEQSA and Professional registration requirements Requires universities to be able to measure and capture information about graduates’ acquisition of generic learning outcomes as part of their program of study (ii) Competitive employment marketMaking your graduates stand out (iii) Marketing and positioningMaking your University stand out

What is the context?

Learning outcomes for each level and qualification type

Knowledge, Skills and their application Generic learning outcomes:Fundamental skills (literacy and numeracy)People skills (team work and communication skills)Thinking skills (learning to learn, decision, making and problem solving)Personal skills (self direction and acting with integrity).

Australian Qualifications Framework delineates:

Provider Course Accreditation StandardsS1: Course design is appropriate and meets qualification standardsS5: Assessment is effective and student learning outcomes are achievedQualification StandardsHE awards are delivered to meet the appropriate criteria

Graduate attributes (TEQSA definition)Generic learning outcomes: transferable, non-discipline specific skills that a graduate may achieve through learning that have application in study, work and life contexts.

TEQSA (the regulator)the Threshold Standards

Apply discipline knowledge, principles and concepts;

Think critically, creatively and reflectively; Access, evaluate and synthesise information; Communicate effectively; Use technologies appropriately; Utilise lifelong learning skills; Recognise and apply international perspectives; Demonstrate intercultural awareness and

understanding; and Apply professional skills.

Example GAs: University XX

Command multiple skills and literacies to enable adaptable lifelong learning

Demonstrate knowledge of Indigenous Australia through cultural competency and professional capacity Demonstrate comprehensive, coherent and connected knowledge

Apply knowledge through intellectual inquiry in professional or applied contexts

Bring knowledge to life through responsible engagement and appreciation of diversity in an evolving world

UWS Graduate Attributes:

We enter the labyrinth!

The world of learning outcomes, constructive alignment and curriculum mapping

The world of standards, of benchmarking and moderation The world of graduation statements, ancillary certifications and portfolios

How are these attributes delivered, ensured and articulated?

The Here

Graduate Attributes must be included on the website; Orientation may include information on the Graduate

Attributes; Graduation statement must reference the Graduate

Attributes; Unit assessors must inform students explicitly about

Graduate Attributes embedded in the Units at the commencement of a Unit and;

in the Unit website, Unit learning materials or in classes;

in assessment tasks in which a specific Graduate Attribute is assessed.

Typical approach: University Y

Course learning outcomes are contextualised using the Graduate Attributes- Course Learning Outcomes Matrix and YY Graduate Attributes Descriptors Table as guides.

The Graduate Attributes shall then be mapped across the whole Course curriculum using the Course Learning Outcomes as a guide to ensure a whole-of-Course approach.

Each Unit must include at most 3 of the Graduate Attributes explicitly articulated in the Unit learning Outcomes, except, for example, in double weighted Units and Capstone Units which may include more.

Each of the Graduate Attributes identified through the Unit Learning Outcomes must be explicitly assessed and included in the marking criteria for the assessment task

The interrelationships between the Graduate Attributes, Unit Learning Outcomes and assessment tasks must be displayed for each Unit.

Procedures :University Y

For employers?For accreditation and professional bodies?For Universities?For university staff?For students?

Have we ever asked?

Does this work and for whom?

Shifting the focus to Students1. Student reflection's on attainment2. Personal development portfoliosReality checks3. Capstones4. Workplace embedded projects

Positioning ownership and responsibility

The Where

A structured and supported process by which students reflect upon their own learning, performance and/or achievement. Aims to provide support for students in planning their personal, educational and career developmentStudents can  identify goals for the future and record their achievements and skills development 

Mandatory in UK HE

Personal Development Planning (PDP)

Specific tools which allow students to step through a reflective assessment process:Example 1 (ACEN MQ)Pre-activity self-ratingEvidence gathering, collation and presentationPost activity self ratingReflection and analysis guided by promptsExample 2 (Liverpool UK/Griffith tool kit)Online self assessment tools(https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/studentex/studentex_docs/Graduate_Skills_Diagnostic_13.html)http://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/290817/Professional-skills.pdf

Self reflectionskills and capability assessments

Helps students:Synthesise their learning across the program; Demonstrate holistically their development of graduate capabilities;Successfully negotiate the transition to workEnables the institution:To assess final graduate capabilities from a program of study.

design and assessment pivotal

Capstones

Work integrated learning Structured and purposefully designed learning and assessment activities Integrates theory with the practice of work.

Allows students to learn, apply and demonstrate skills and knowledge applicable to the course of study being undertaken

Students interact with industry and community within a work context or similar situation, includes service learning

Making it real through work

UWS has the heres and many of wheres?◦ WIL is alive and well. Can we do more? Increase

our community and industry connectedness?◦ Some programs have capstones – should we have

more?◦ How much self reflection occurs? How much non-

program based credentialing do we do? Can we do better?

For UWSHere to Where?