Evaluation
An analysis of student performance, (ie the unit results), student feedback and action for improvement for the next year are encapsualted in a formal unit report. The process is:
1. An independent online Student University Evaluation (SUE) survey is conducted University-wide shortly before the end of the academic year (around April-May).
2.A templated document with the student feedback and results "hard-wired" in is sent to the unit leader by email in July for analysis of strengths and issues, and actions for next year.
3. The unit leader is required to submit the unit report in September (and the document is updated by the Faculty with referral results).
Unit reports for the past 4 years are available via the reference link menu. Analysis of these reports (and indeed reports of a different format going back to the inception of the unit in 2001-02) show attempts to try to continually improve the unit. The SUE survey results, with a general average of 4 (on a scale 1-5 with 5 being high) on most measures, provides some confidence that the unit is working.
So what for the future? Content, Instructional Design and Assessment continue to be challenging aspects of the course, and this has been alluded to in these sections. The evidence in the unit reports, my own experience and the new insights gained from the Database Commons experience suggest 3 key questions for the future:
1. Following the recent introduction of data mining and XML in Databases, what further contemporary technologies, tools and methods can be included without overloading the studentt?
2. How can the Instructional Design model be developed to cater for not only the more independent learner but also the learner who needs much more support?
3. How can engagement in the provided formative feedback opportunities be increased?