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Teaching and Learning - Fundamental Code

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(1) Note: 8 March 2012 - The Teaching and Learning - Fundamental Code is currently under review. Queries related to this policy should be referred to the Company Secretary, Entities and Associate Director, Secretariat's office.

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(2) Teaching and learning within the University of Western Sydney will build the University's reputation for excellence and scholarship in teaching resulting from the professionalism of its staff and their commitment to students. Further, the University aims to provide a high quality learning environment to advance the educational experience and outcomes of its students.

(3) In order for students to have a good university experience and attain high levels of learning it is important to recognise the collective responsibility university management, staff and students have to achieve this end. In particular, the University has an overarching responsibility for:

  1. ensuring that approved educational programs and opportunities are adequately supported in terms of the necessary physical, financial, technical and human resources;
  2. implementing education policies, plans and strategies that will guide staff and students and make clear to them their responsibilities (e.g. this code) and rights;
  3. implementing ongoing quality assurance and education enhancement processes including regular reviews and evaluations;
  4. providing effective adjunct services to support students and staff (e.g. Student Support Services, UWS International, the Library, Learning and Teaching Unit).

(4) The University recognises that academic staff are experts in their chosen fields and that students are committed to their studies. However, it is important that staff and students develop a common understanding of what the university expects of them in their roles as teachers and learners.

(5) The following code has been developed to assist staff and students to be clear about what the University believes are the fundamental responsibilities each has in maintaining appropriate standards within the undergraduate and (coursework) post graduate teaching and learning environment.

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Section 2 - Definitions

(6) Nil.

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Section 3 - Policy Statement

Part A - Code of Practice

Executive Deans and Heads of Schools

(7) It is the responsibility of the Executive Dean as well as the Heads of School, with support from the Associate Dean (Academic), Heads of Program and other key academic staff in the School/College to ensure that:

  1. staff with teaching responsibilities are aware of the University's legislative obligations and uphold relevant university/college/school policies, and the University's Code of Conduct;
  2. staff undertake the responsibilities associated with their teaching role including those outlined in this and other codes;
  3. staff are given appropriate support to develop/enhance their teaching skills and knowledge;
  4. casual staff are adequately informed of their teaching responsibilities and duties and where possible given opportunities to attend internal staff development programs related to teaching and learning;
  5. staff have available to them the necessary resources to conduct the unit/course as outlined in the course approval document;
  6. staff to student ratios are monitored and, where possible, assistance given to staff teaching very large numbers of students;
  7. administrative assistance is provided, as needed, to staff teaching students with a disability;
  8. student and staff complaints and grievances are dealt with promptly, with courtesy and follow university policy and protocols;
  9. arrangements are made to ensure that staff are available for student consultation at set & well publicised times, also taking account of the needs of part-time students;
    1. The student consultation times for part-time and casual academics must also be in line with the applicable employment agreement and agreed with the Head of School (or nominee) prior to the commencement of the teaching session.
  10. ensure, when a unit is taught across more than one campus the Head of Program /Course Advisor (or an appropriate nominee) is available for student consultation at a key stage during each teaching session on each campus where the unit is taught;
  11. unit outlines comply with the Unit Outline and Learning Guides Policy;
  12. copies of all unit outlines, distributed by staff, are kept in a central location within the school, along with an up-to-date list of Heads of Program and Course Advisors;
  13. appropriate arrangements are made for the conduct of classes (on or off campus) and student consultation when a lecturer is to be absent for lengthy periods of time (e.g. professional development leave);
  14. within resource constraints appropriate arrangements are made for student consultation during non teaching periods;
  15. sufficient numbers of staff are available to give academic advice during the university's enrolment and re-enrolment periods;
  16. scheduled education activities are only cancelled in extenuating circumstances and, when feasible, students are advised in advance of the cancellation and if/when the class is to be rescheduled or offered in an alternative mode (e.g. lecture notes on line);
  17. students have available to them the necessary information and academic advice to enable them to make informed choices about their degree pattern and career and other aspirations aligned with their study;
  18. students are aware of course progression requirements, and students deemed at 'risk of failure' are given timely and appropriate academic counselling;
  19. students know the standards of behaviour expected by the University and are made aware of the University's Misconduct - Student Academic Misconduct Policy and Misconduct - Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy;
  20. students with a disclosed disability are accommodated as outlined in their integration plan, with assistance sought when needed from a Student Disability Advisor refer: Disability Service web page.

Academic Staff

(8) In the performance of their teaching role academic staff are required to:

  1. uphold this code of practice and adhere to university, college/school policies, codes and protocols concerning teaching and learning;
  2. consult appropriately and seek assistance when experiencing an education or student related problem;
  3. immediately report to the Head of School or Head of Program any issues or concerns related to student misconduct including academic and non-academic misconduct as defined under UWS Misconduct - Student Academic Misconduct Policy and/or the Misconduct - Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy;
  4. promptly address student complaints/expressions of dissatisfaction and be familiar with the University policies and processes associated with handling student complaints and student grievances;
  5. treat all students and staff equitably, with courtesy and respect, and adhere to the University's Code of Conduct and Federal and State Government legislative requirements;
  6. adhere to the requirements outlined in student Integration Plans when teaching students with a disability and seek advice/support from the Student Disability Advisor's as appropriate [refer: Disability Service web page;
  7. when possible, assist students with identified learning difficulties and as appropriate, consult with the Learning and Teaching Unit;
  8. efficiently perform the administrative tasks associated with teaching, including meeting School /college/university deadlines;
  9. conduct educational activities (including those on the internet) as scheduled and, when cancellation is unavoidable, make every effort to organise for students to be notified in advance and for the session to be rescheduled or offered in an alternative mode;
  10. make every effort to ensure that the resources (e.g. readings, books, on line material, equipment, hardware & software) that students require are readily available and accessible before the start of the teaching period, and that learning materials comply with the Copyright Act [refer also UWS Copyright web page];
  11. be available for set student consultation times;
  12. ensure students are aware of availability for student consultation by publicly advertising days and times (e.g. by posting on the office door, School /college web site) and adhere to the stated times throughout the teaching session;
  13. provide students, by the second week of the teaching session, with a unit outline which complies with the University's Unit Outline and Learning Guides Policy;
  14. prepare adequately for each teaching session, including lesson objectives, learning activities and learning support materials;
  15. choose teaching methods appropriate to the subject matter, the student cohort (first year undergraduate, final year etc) and teaching mode;
    1. B. Staff are encouraged to seek assistance, as needed, from the Learning and Teaching Unit, Office of the PVC Education;
  16. comply with the University's Assessment Policy - Criteria and Examination Policy and Examinations Policy;
  17. monitor subject matter understanding of the student cohort as a whole throughout the learning period and adapt teaching methods and/or materials accordingly;
  18. undertake annual evaluation of their teaching as part of their Academic Performance Planning and Review process. Staff are strongly advised to use the University's survey instrument for student feedback on teaching [refer: Teaching Evaluation web page;
    1. The use of this instrument will ensure that confidentiality protocols are met.
  19. abide by Work Health and Safety Policy, procedures and regulations with regard to educational facilities including reporting any damaged/non functioning equipment or facilities or other conditions that may threaten the safety of the students or other staff;
  20. comply with the University's Privacy Policy and Disclosure and Use of Student Information Guidelines.

Students

(9) While studying at the University, students are required to:

  1. uphold this code and comply with those University rules, regulations, policies and codes, related to their studies as well as the University's Equity and Diversity and Work Health and Safety standards and requirements;
  2. advise the University in writing of any changes to their mailing address and any major changes to their enrolment such as leave of absence or withdrawal;
  3. seek clarification from appropriate university sources such as Head of Program or Unit Coordinator when not clear about issues related to their education (e.g. assessment, progression, unit choices);
  4. check they meet the pre and co-requisite requirements necessary to undertake a unit or they meet the necessary assumed knowledge requirements;
  5. ensure they have obtained from their lecturer or via the Web copies of relevant unit outlines by the second week of the teaching session;
  6. regularly and actively participate in scheduled educational activities (such as lectures, tutorials, practicals, on line discussions);
  7. when completing student feedback questionnaires, give honest, helpful and courteous feedback to their lecturer(s);
  8. make every effort to undertake the work required to successfully complete their units of study;
  9. submit their own work and material for assignments and other assessment tasks, i.e. do not plagiarise or cheat and understand the serious consequences of indulging such behaviour by familiarising themselves with the University's Misconduct - Student Academic Misconduct Policy;
  10. seek timely assistance with problems as needed from university student services (e.g. counselling, disabilities, learning development in the Office of the Dean of Students) or relevant staff within the School (e.g. Lecturer, Unit Coordinator, Head of Program );
  11. not indulge in any behaviour that disrupts the teaching and learning environment, or negatively affects fellow students and university staff, and understand the University will take action against such behaviour as outlined in the Misconduct - Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy;
  12. attempt to first resolve problems or issues at the local level (e.g. within the School, Student Centrals ) before using the formal University complaint and grievance processes;
  13. treat university property with due care and report any damaged or broken equipment;
  14. behave appropriately, outside of University property when undertaking education related activities or representing the university (e.g. placement, practicum, project work).
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Section 4 - Procedures

(10) Nil.

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Section 5 - Guidelines

(11) Nil.