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Professor Sid Nair, Evaluations

Closing the Loop in Evaluations: The Need, Implications and Practice

'Closing the loop' is a common expression in the higher education sector. The root of this phrase arises from extensive evaluation with incomplete or lack of action on the results of these evaluation measures. Widespread anecdotal evidence and university quality audits indicate that student evaluations, though abundant in the system, are not systematically handled to achieve sustainable improvements in teaching and learning.

It is not rocket science that "closing the loop" is important in any good quality cycle. What I intend to do in this seminar is to

  • probe the concept of closing the loop at the institutional level, and the effectiveness (if any);
  • look at the features/components of an effective loop closure; and,
  • probe possible reasons why higher education institutions choose in some instances to provide good evidence of closure and in other areas does not.

An important aspect of this discussion is to also seek an understanding of the changing landscape of evaluations in the Australian Higher Education Sector.

Biography

Professor-Sid-Nair

Sid Nair is Professor of Higher Education Development at the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL). His current role in the area of quality of teaching and learning.

Prior to this he was Interim Director and Quality Advisor (Evaluations and Research) at the Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ) at Monash University, Australia. In this role he headed the evaluation unit at Monash University where he restructured the evaluation framework at the university. The approach to evaluation at Monash has been noted in the first round of AUQA audits and is part of the good practice database.

His research work is in the areas of quality in the Australian higher education system, classroom and school environments, and the implementation of improvements from stakeholder feedback. Recent book publications include Leadership and Management of Quality in Higher Education and Student Feedback: The Cornerstone to an Effective Quality Assurance System in Higher Education. He has extensive lecturing experience in the applied sciences in Canada, Singapore and Australia. He is an international consultant in quality and evaluations in higher education.

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