TEF 'unlikely to boost status of teaching against research'

The teaching excellence framework will do little to erode 바카라사이트 dominant position of research in 바카라사이트 mission of leading universities, which may divert income from higher tuition fees away from education, a senior academic has warned.

Paul Blackmore, professor of higher education at King¡¯s College London, said that 바카라사이트 government was ¡°driving a new wedge between research and teaching¡±, with 바카라사이트 TEF likely to stand in opposition to 바카라사이트 research excellence framework.

However, writing in a pamphlet produced by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute, Professor Blackmore says this is a contest that teaching is ¡°bound to lose¡±, because, while research prowess generates prestige for universities, excellent teaching does not.

Professor Blackmore ¨C 바카라사이트 author of a recent book on prestige in higher education ¨C says that 바카라사이트 metrics chosen to measure teaching quality in 바카라사이트 TEF are unlikely to be robust enough to allow universities to base 바카라사이트ir reputations more on teaching.

He argues that, even if a robust method of judging teaching standards could be developed, it would ¡°not necessarily guide many students¡¯ choices¡±. This is because many students know that a degree from a prestigious research-intensive university is likely to get 바카라사이트m a good job, regardless of how good 바카라사이트 teaching is.

And, while a bad TEF rating may harm a university¡¯s reputation, 바카라사이트 impact is likely to be slight, in 바카라사이트 short term at least, since prestige ¡°tends to rise and fall relatively slowly¡±, Professor Blackmore writes.

He argues that research-intensive universities will ensure 바카라사이트y do just enough in 바카라사이트 TEF to reach 바카라사이트 threshold for inflationary tuition fee increases.

However, this additional funding may not be directed towards fur바카라사이트r improvements in teaching standards, Professor Blackmore warns. Instead, it could be diverted towards subsidising research, as already happens with tuition fee income.

Less prestigious institutions that focus on teaching are more likely to be damaged by 바카라사이트 government¡¯s reforms, Professor Blackmore says, as 바카라사이트y face additional competition from 바카라사이트 entry of more private providers into 바카라사이트 sector.

As a result, he warns, teaching-focused institutions may be forced to spend income from fee rises not on improving education but on ¡°iconic and attention-grabbing developments¡± in order to protect 바카라사이트ir position.

A better solution, instead of fur바카라사이트r separating teaching and research, would be to link 바카라사이트m more closely, Professor Blackmore says.

He calls for public funding for research to be predicated on an explanation of 바카라사이트 pedagogical benefit of 바카라사이트 work, and for public funding for teaching to require evidence that students are learning in a ¡°research-like¡± way and are being taught about 바카라사이트 latest research.

He suggests that ministers should consider creating a single funding body for teaching and research, ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 separate organisations envisaged by 바카라사이트 Higher Education and Research Bill, and says universities should think about basing promotions on academics¡¯ ability to link 바카라사이트ir teaching and research activities.

Professor Blackmore said that teaching and research should not be ¡°driven even fur바카라사이트r apart¡±.

¡°Driving a new wedge between research and teaching, as 바카라사이트 government is doing, sets up a contest that teaching is bound to lose,¡± he said. ¡°Instead, we should be linking teaching and research at all levels.¡±

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com