Otago Polytechnic/Developing a Learning and Teaching Strategy at OP/Curricula

= Future focused, efficient and sustainable curricula =

Strategic Objective Two:
To have future focused, efficient and sustainable curricula that enable learners to reach their full potential

What are our aspirations?

 * Our curricula are designed for learning, build from where learners start and meet the diverse needs of individual learners
 * Our curricula build learner capability in literacy and numeracy
 * Our curricula are consciously designed for independent learning
 * Our curricula offer learners flexibility and choice
 * Our curricula hold reflection as a core value
 * Our curricula are relevant and meet the current and future needs of learners, employers and communities locally, nationally and internationally
 * Our curricula utilise an appropriate blend of learning modes including face to face, online, simulation, 'hands on' practical experiences and experiences in work settings
 * Our curricula have engaging learning activities designed to foster learning through action and reflection
 * Our curricula have engaging learning activities that promote group work, peer assessment and, where possible, cross-disciplinary learning
 * Our curricula provide research and enterprise activities including in work places and communities ( See R &amp; E strategic framework)
 * Our curricula include sustainability and develop learner capability as sustainable practitioners (See SD strategic framework)
 * Our curricula support partnerships with schools and communities to expand access and aspirations for OP's qualifications
 * Our curricula include a global and future focus
 * Our curricula include authentic work based learning experiences
 * Our curricula use, modify and develop open education resources within courses and programmes
 * Our curricula reduce teacher time without reducing educational quality
 * Our curricula provide multiple routes to qualifications, including end point assessment services
 * Our curricula are designed to develop capable, work ready and sustainable practitioners who can practise in a global context

What will we do to achieve our aspirations?

 * Review current programs and learning resources against good practice standards (online and face-to-face) and implement improvement plans where necessary
 * Develop staff capability in teaching and design for learning
 * Develop good practice standards for development of OERs and for evaluating OERs for inclusion in OP course resources
 * Develop staff capability in the understanding and use of OER, APL and WBL
 * Support curriculum development and design through provision of educational developer expertise
 * Identify and promote best practice curricula across the institution
 * Increase our distance programme portfolio
 * Increase the number of courses and programmes available as open educational resources and 'free to learn'
 * Develop assessment services for courses and qualifications
 * Develop commerical learner support services for 'free to learn' clients
 * Develop processes for RPL, credit transfer and credentialling in relation to open learners
 * Develop partnerships and implement activities with local schools and communities to increase understanding of and expand access to OP qualifications
 * Develop processes for assessment of OP's online content in relation to Creative Commons licensing
 * Develop criteria and process for identifying which aspects of OP's programme portfolio should be open
 * Increase number of courses offering authentic and sustainable workplace-integrated learning supported and enabled by eSimulation, eAssessment and ePortfolio
 * Define standards and expected outcomes for a global learning experience
 * Create online resources to support a Study Abroad programme
 * Assess sustainability and work readiness in our graduates

How will we know we have been successful?

 * Our learners succeed in their chosen programme
 * Our learners take responsibility for their own learning
 * Our teachers report increased time for other activities such as professional development, curriculum development, industry participation and research
 * Our success, retention and participation rates continue to increase
 * Our learner numbers increase including distance and international learners
 * Employers and communities express satisfaction with the personal effectiveness and work readiness of our graduates
 * We increase new educational business in assessment and learner support
 * Our open educational resources are recognised as high quality and attract increasing numbers of learners
 * Our qualifications are more cost effective
 * Our teachers reduce directed learning time and increase student-led learning and work-based learning