To test and refine the quality framework, the student team members helped to create a speed-training resource to get students quickly up to speed on EfS and rate the sustainability learning on their course.
The need for this resource was suggested in the first phase of the project, taking advice from the QAA student advisers and from an initial piloting workshop with senior course representatives at University of Gloucestershire to sense-check the principles and how students could use them.
Developing the rating road-test tool in digital format enabled the widest range of students to take part in the exercise, supported consistency of the inquiry in all settings, and provided legacy resources for the project. It also enabled the team to see how students decided on course ratings working alone with no further input, and in group and dialogue settings in face-to-face workshops, with extra facilitation and sharing of views.
Rating training tool
The training resource consisted of short films, an interactive quiz with example ratings, and optional links to further reading/watching. The package was hosted using a free online learning platform with 8 sections:
- Introduction
- Rating sustainability quality in courses in a nutshell
- What is sustainability
- What is the role of education?
- Quality sustainability learning and spotting greenwash
- How to rate your course
- Course rating (this section linked to an online form with questions)
Engagement process
The 3 partner universities and the QAA Student Strategic Advisory Committee had access to the rating tool and chose how to engage with them.
The feedback form provided the responses of all the student raters to 2 primary enquiries:
- Students views on the ratings principles, and whether they would add to them or change them.
- How helpful students found the training resource, to get up to speed with EfS and rate courses.
A third question was explored at the University of Gloucestershire where staff course ratings existed.
Principles tested
See the principles and rating criteria test.
Findings
See results of the road test.
Outcomes and resources
See the final ratings framework and how to use it.