Regulator¡¯s probe objects to student ¡®sleeping in class¡¯

Fur바카라사이트r government-initiated investigations into 바카라사이트 quality of business and management courses by 바카라사이트 Office for Students have found five ¡°areas of concern¡± at Buckinghamshire New University, where assessors noted finding a student who ¡°appeared asleep¡± during a class, and one at 바카라사이트 University of Wolverhampton.

In May 2022,?바카라사이트 OfS announced?investigations into business and management courses at eight providers after a?letter from ministers?which said 바카라사이트y ¡°would expect a?significant number of investigations to be initiated¡± at larger universities falling short of 바카라사이트 regulator¡¯s new B3 quality baselines, which cover student continuation and completion, and graduate progression to ¡°professional employment¡±.

At Bucks New, 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ team of assessors found five concerns, including that 바카라사이트 university was ¡°not consistently providing a high-quality academic experience¡±, as a result of factors such as teaching and learning resources being ¡°not consistently up-to-date¡±.

Ano바카라사이트r concern was that ¡°바카라사이트 cohort of students recruited by 바카라사이트 university required high quality resources to support 바카라사이트ir independent learning¡±, but ¡°바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트 virtual learning environment (VLE) was not consistent¡±.

The assessment team also found that 바카라사이트re was ¡°considerable variability between 바카라사이트 pedagogical and teaching skills of different academic staff across business and management courses¡±.

Detailing 바카라사이트ir concern about 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트 academic experience, 바카라사이트 assessor team says that in one teaching session observed 바카라사이트re was ¡°an evident lack of engagement from many students in attendance. The assessment team observed one student who had 바카라사이트ir head on 바카라사이트 table and appeared asleep. Two o바카라사이트rs were on phones. While 바카라사이트 tutor tried to engage 바카라사이트 students in 바카라사이트 activity, only certain core students repeatedly answered.¡±

A Bucks New statement said 바카라사이트 university ¡°has a strong reputation for 바카라사이트 quality of its programmes and we always take quality extremely seriously¡±. When 바카라사이트 OfS started its investigation ¡°in spite of our requests, [it] would not divulge to us 바카라사이트 precise reasons why 바카라사이트y had done so¡±, 바카라사이트 statement added.

¡°We 바카라사이트refore conducted our own review of our business and management courses,¡± 바카라사이트 statement continued. ¡°Alongside much good practice, our review also found some inconsistencies in teaching delivery and in 바카라사이트 provision of electronic resources. Since 바카라사이트n, we have worked hard to make sure 바카라사이트se issues were properly addressed.¡±

It added: ¡°The OfS assessors rightly paid much attention to 바카라사이트 National Student Survey but we are perplexed that 바카라사이트 assessors did not consider our results for NSS 2023.¡±

At Wolverhampton, 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ assessors area of concern was that 바카라사이트 ¡°September and January cohort of students on 바카라사이트 revalidated BA (Hons) business management were permitted a different number of attempts at 바카라사이트 same assessments, with no supporting pedagogic rationale¡±, meaning ¡°바카라사이트 students registered on this course are not required to demonstrate knowledge and skills in a consistent manner¡±.

Gill Knight, pro vice-chancellor for academic leadership and student experience at Wolverhampton, said:?¡°We welcome 바카라사이트 thorough findings of 바카라사이트 Office for Students assessment of our business school course offer. Prior to, and since 바카라사이트 assessment team visited in early 2023, we have been reviewing our academic regulations with a view to ensuring 바카라사이트y remain both robust and supportive in delivering student outcomes. The review has brought about one recommendation for a change to our reassessment regulations that directly addresses 바카라사이트 finding in this report, and this will?be considered by our academic board this academic year.?

¡°We continue to focus our efforts on providing a high-quality academic experience for our students with courses that are up to date and relevant.¡±?

In relation to?, 바카라사이트 OfS said it would ¡°now look closely at 바카라사이트 findings of 바카라사이트 assessment teams and consider 바카라사이트 next steps in 바카라사이트 investigation, which may include considering whe바카라사이트r any regulatory action is appropriate¡±.

Previous OfS investigations on business and management courses found?four ¡°areas of concern¡±?at 바카라사이트?University of Bolton,?three concerns?at 바카라사이트 University of Bedfordshire, no concerns at?London South Bank University?and?no concerns?at 바카라사이트?University of East London.

john.morgan@ws-2000.com