Academic Audit
Of course, the answers come when you ask the right questions, so the challenge is in the design. Pedagogical process: It is not just the content that needs to be audited, but also delivery. Thomas Angelo, the co-author of Classroom Assessment Techniques, said, “Teaching in the absence of learning is just talking.” The effectiveness of teaching and pedagogy is something that needs to be audited from time to time, given the deluge of new tools for improving curriculum delivery. In our universities, however, the pedagogical processes have remained tethered to age-old practices. The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) in its recommendation document to the ministry, says, “The university syllabi remain unchanged for decades. It needs to be upgraded constantly and revised frequently. Universities should revise or restructure at least once in three years. Revisions should be subjected to peer review before implementation. The process should be streamlined and de-centralised, with teachers’ autonomy and statute changes. There should be a mode of censure for departments or universities that do not upgrade.” Evaluating the teaching-learning process needs a three-pronged approach— evaluation by management, peer evaluation and student-led evaluation. Eliminating even one will result in a skewed process. Secondly, standards need to be set for disciplines. In terms of methodology, there are a number of ways that can be used independently, or in combination. There is the questionnaire approach. How it is designed is critical. Then, there is the focus-group approach, where a group of peers, superiors and students are asked to discuss the effectiveness of a class, course, programme or department. There is peer evaluation methodology in which an auditor or a group attend classes and evaluate it. Auditing teacher performance is also a way for a university to exercise control over the education quality. Professor Lingamurthy says, “In a way, it serves as a monitor. When a university gives affiliation, it sets certain
ADMINISTRATION
‘Strong Performance In Audit Clears Path To Accreditation’ Beela Satyanarayana, VC, Andhra University, explains... What prompted you to adopt academic audits? Academic audit is an assessment held to evaluate performance of an institute, department or course. Since all institutes under the umbrella of Andhra University (AU) are expected to maintain high standards and to verify the prescribed standards and to impart quality education, we decided to go for an academic audit, which evaluates performance of an institute, department or course. It is interesting to note that in the US, audit is an educational term, often used for completion of the course of study and no assessment is done and no grade awarded.
When did AU first decide to go for an academic audit?
BEELA SATYANARAYAN Vice Chancellor, Andhra University
We started during the 2009-2010 academic session. In the past decade, a number of professional institutions, particularly dealing with engineering, computer application, business administration and pharmacy schools, were started. But, with this proliferation, there was a general sense of degeneration. The public, particularly, felt that quality (of teaching) was deteriorating. To check this, we felt it was necessary to go for an audit.
Is academic audit an end in itself? For the university, it is an end in itself. But institutes that perform well in the audit are automatically expected to qualify for higher grades in all national and international accreditation systems.
What is included under AU’s academic audit system? Our system is planned to include assessment of infrastructure, faculty-student ratio, admission process, curriculum, syllabus, pedagogy, as well as student evaluation.
conditions. Whether these conditions are being followed is periodically checked by an academic audit cell. A team goes and checks teachers’ qualifications, numbers and recruitment.” Evaluation may be developed at a government-level as well. Professor Gulhati tells us that the Ministry of Human Resources Development had created a Quality Improvement Programme, specifically focused on engineering. Teachers from smaller engineering colleges can come to the IIT for their PhD and then start research at their respective institutions. IIT teams will sometimes arrive to assess their programmes.
Evaluating evaluation: Quality of learning is often tested by student performance. However, the NKC states, “Learning and creativity are at a discount in a system of assessment that places a premium on memory rather than understanding.” Therefore, evaluation needs to audited to bring out a correct picture of student performance. Before the institution adopts any way, it needs to audit (check) its process of evaluation and see if there is a gap between student evaluation according to university and industry’s expectations. Students, too, should receive the opportunity to give their feedback. April 2010 EDU TECH
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