Message from Professor Ian Holliday, Vice-President (Teaching & Learning)

Dear colleagues,

Just a couple of teaching matters to bring to your attention ahead of the new academic session.

Plagiarism

The University is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, and has in place a Policy on Student Plagiarism in Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Curricula. Please do inform your students about proper academic practice. Relevant resources can be found on the plagiarism website.

Assessment

Assessment is an important vehicle for supporting and guiding student learning. The University has an overarching assessment policy which sets out the philosophy and principles that guide and regulate assessment practice. The key principle is that students should be assessed in an appropriate, fair, rigorous and transparent manner. Solid and timely feedback, not restricted to scores or grades, should be provided. The QAC Audit Panel advised us to enhance students’ understanding of the grade descriptors used in undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses, and to provide better feedback.

I’m therefore writing to ask you at the start of each semester to talk students through the grade descriptors used in your courses, so that they understand the level of performance expected of them. Please also give timely feedback on assignments and written examinations, to enable students to learn from what they have done well and what they have done badly.

The Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) will continue to work on enhancing assessment practice and providing good feedback to students. If you have any thoughts or need any help, please contact the TALIC staff liaison for your Faculty/Office:

Happy teaching!

Best wishes, Ian

Professor Ian Holliday
Vice-President (Teaching and Learning)