1 Policy Statement

The University of Southern Queensland will develop, maintain and evaluate regularly a teaching and learning environment conducive to effective learning and excellent teaching.

2 Principles

The University’s activities in the area of learning and teaching are characterised by five guiding principles.

2.1 A Relevant and Adaptive Curriculum

The University aims to create and maintain a curriculum that:

1. supports the development of a range of designated generic attributes appropriate to program level

2. provides the basis for students to develop as independent lifelong learners and become effective problem solvers

3. allows students to gain knowledge and skills relevant to their career aspirations

4. promotes interaction between teaching, scholarship and research

5. recognises the need to offer an international, culturally sensitive curriculum

6. provides clear academic expectations and standards for both staff and students

7. is evaluated regularly.

2.2 An Atmosphere of Intellectual Engagement

The University aims to create and maintain an intellectual environment that

1. encourages the learner to engage in and to be an active participant in the learning process

2. stimulates intellectual excitement

3. recognises the partnership between learner and teacher

2.3 A Flexible and Responsive Environment

The University aims to create and maintain a learning environment that

1. offers choice in modes of educational delivery to its students

2. offers educational opportunities through a range of entry and exit pathways

3. incorporates a range of teaching and learning strategies to accommodate the diverse needs of students

4. a diversity of educational experiences.

2.4 An Inclusive Environment

The University aims to initiate and maintain practices that

1. draw on the experiences, strengths and needs of students and staff to enrich the learning experience

2. are inclusive and ensure that all students have equal opportunities in the learning process

2.5 A Supportive Environment

The University aims to create and maintain a learning environment that

1. provides an integrated range of appropriate student support initiatives to enhance learning

2. provides an integrated range of appropriate initiatives to support staff in the development of their teaching

3. is supported by quality learning resources and technologies.

3 Procedures

3.1 Management

The University will encourage effective learning and excellent teaching by fostering an institutional climate that acknowledges the pre-eminence of these activities. This will be achieved through the implementation and monitoring of the Learning and Teaching Plan. This plan will normally be reviewed on a five year cycle as part of the University’s planning cycle, based on objective and rigorous assessments of performance and wide involvement by the University academic community. The plan will determine objectives and strategies to ensure the integration of the five guiding principles into all aspects of teaching and learning within USQ.

3.2 Responsibility

The Academic Board has responsibility for monitoring all aspects of the Learning and Teaching Policy. It will do this primarily through its Academic Program Committee. This Committee, through its Chairperson, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Scholarship), will consult with all academic sections and the wider academic community, especially the Faculties, and the Global Learning Division on the development, management and implementation of the policy. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) will be responsible of the implementation and monitoring of the Learning and Teaching Plan.

4 References

1. AVCC, 1993, Guidelines for Effective University Teaching document renamed "Universities and their Students: Principles for the Provision of Education by Australian Universities”

2. http://www.avcc.edu.au/content.asp?page=/publications/policy/statements/index.htm , accessed June 2006)

3. PacifiCorp, 2002, http://www.pacificorpfoundation.org/Article/Article16920.html, accessed January 2003)

5 Definitions

6 Other Policy Information