Proposal
Table of Contents
- The Rationale for and Aims of the Project
- Relationship to Research in the Area
- Current Status of the Proposed Project
- The Approach the Project Will Take
- The Anticipated Deliverables and Outcomes
- Conclusion
- Attachment 1 - Bibliography
- Attachment 3 - Time lines
- Attachment 4 - Project Team
- Attachment 5 - Screenshots of Prototype
- Attachment 6 - Proposed System Architecture
- Attachment 7 - Evaluation Plan
- Attachment 8 - Dissemination Plan
- Attachment 9 - Relationship to the project led by Dr Jo McKenzie (UTS)
Conclusion
This proposal outlines a project that follows a scholarly approach to quality assurance in online learning and teaching. The project proposes to develop an open source, Web-enabled peer review tool and an associated website that will assist academic staff with the course development of their materials and provide a structured approach to peer review. The design and development of the tool will be informed by research into online learning and teaching and will identify criteria relating to online course development and the standards associated with them. These standards will be codified into a checklist of simple statements, which can be used by staff without technical expertise. The interactive checklist will be linked to a database so that the results of peer reviews of course materials are recorded centrally and the data can be retrieved by academics to support their applications for academic promotion and awards. The interactive peer view system will be supported by a website, which will provide highly focused just-in-time information to enhance the knowledge and expertise of staff. This approach is consistent with a scholarly approach to learning and teaching because it supports staff in reflective practice and provides a structured and informed approach to peer review.
The project outlined in this proposal complements and contributes to the proposed project led by Dr Jo McKenzie (UTS). These two projects have distinctive but highly complementary deliverables and outcomes. Either of the two projects, if funded separately, would result in significant outcomes that clearly address the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) priority of developing and modelling systems of peer review of learning and teaching and embedding peer review in higher education promotion systems. However, if both projects are funded, the teams will work collaboratively throughout the life cycle of both projects to ensure the combined outcomes and deliverables together provide a stronger and more systemic contribution to the higher education community.