For Information
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S.98-43
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23 April 1998
REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON UNIVERSITY TEACHING AND
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LEARNING (SCUTL)
SCUlL has been a productive committee in 1997/98, meeting eight times. The
first meeting in August was chaired by Dr. Ellen Gee with the remaining seven
meetings chaired by Dr. Irene Gordon. At the meeting in August it was decided
that the most important action for SCUTL to undertake was to recommend
revisions to the Committee's terms of reference. Additionally, SCUTL identified
number of activities related to teaching and learning that deserved the
Committee's time and attention. These actions as well as several other items
sent to the Committee are outlined below.
A.
Terms of Reference
In response to SCUTL's uncertainties and doubts that arose from its original
terms of reference and reported to Senate last year, SCUTL's mandate and
terms have been revised in consultation with Dr. D. Gagan, Vice-President,
Academic. SCUTL members think that the revised mandate and terms are more
appropriate to a Senate Committee. Under the new terms of reference, SCUTL
provides advice and guidance on a broad set of teaching and learning issues.
B.
Environment for Teaching and Learning at SFU
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In September SCUTL determined that to understand the environment of teaching
and learning at SFU, the Committee required information. One method of
collecting information deemed expedient was to invite individuals to attend a
SCUTL meeting and to discuss aspects of their units or work that had a direct
bearing on this environment. Four individuals were invited to make presentations
on three topics.
Mr. T. Greenwood, Director, Instructional Media Office, and Ms. C. French,
Director, Student Academic Resources, were invited to SCUTL's October
meeting. Mr. Greenwood and Ms. French discussed the functions and services
that their offices provide within the University. In both cases questions were
asked about these services and how SCUTL might assist and work with them.
From these meetings SCUTL members thought that two points could be
incorporated into its proposed terms of reference. First, the Director of Student
Academic Resources is proposed as a new member of SCUTL. Second, it was
suggested that a relationship be established between SCUTL and the
Instructional Media Office. As incorporated in SCUTL's revised terms of
reference, this relationship will
see
SCUTL reviewing and commenting on this
office's reports.
Walter Wattamaniuk and Joanne Heslop of Analytical Studies attended
SCUlL's December meeting and J. Heslop presented the preliminary results of
the 1997 undergraduate survey. While many questions were asked of W.
Wattamaniuk and J. Heslop, Committee members particularly wanted to know
where in the survey process SCUTL might comment and be involved in making
suggestions about questions to include. From this discussion it is anticipated that
SCUTL will be invited to comment on preliminary surveys sometime in
. September. Additionally, SCUTL will be asked to review and comment on the
completed annual undergraduate surveys as reflected in the revised terms of
reference.
C.
Action Plans and Formation of Subcommittees
At its September meeting, SCUTL outlined a list of possible action plan items for
1997/98. In November SCUTL decided that two items would be undertaken this
academic year. To put these plans into action two subcommittees were formed.
One subcommittee was established to examine workload issues that surround
information technology and its use. This subcommittee's members are G. Poole,
L. Kanevsky, J. Stanley and L. Weldon. The other subcommittee was formed to
exam the handling and administration of teaching surveys. This subcommittee is
composed of I. Gordon, J. Morris and P. Winne. The work of both
subcommittees is on going and completion is expected during 1998.
D.
Cooperation with the Centre for University Teaching
SCUTL's relationship with the Centre for University Teaching has resulted in
three events during 1997/98. First, the Centre organized a Forum on Evaluation
of Teaching held November 14th. While the forum was organized as a result of
SCUTL's 1996/97 meetings, it resulted in Committee members identifying that
Faculties and departments seem to be handling and administering teaching
evaluations differently. Second, a roundtable discussion on technology and
associated workload issues held on January 22nd was a direct result to SCUTL's
discussions. Third, a roundtable was organized and held on February 26th to
promote dialogue on the use of open labs and computer assisted marking.
Again, this roundtable was an outgrowth of SCUTL's work but acted on by the
Director of the Centre for University Teaching.
E.
Other Business brought before the Committee
During the Fall, SCUTL was asked by SCAR to comment on whether two
changes were likely to compromise academic quality: changes from tutorials to
open laboratories and from individual marking to computer aided marking.
SCUTL responded in a memorandum (February 9th) providing an overview of the
positives and negatives on both these issues. This memo was forwarded by
SCAR to SCUS for further comment.
Also, during the Fall, SCUTL received an invitation to comment on a
proposal from TSSU to recognize teaching accomplishments by its members.
SCUTL responded and was assured that suggested revisions would be
incorporated by TSSU. TSSU also indicated that when revisions were complete
that these would be sent back to SCUTL for comment.
After receiving the results of the annual undergraduate survey for 1997
from Analytical Studies, SCUTL raised concerns with the Registrar about the
examination scheduler. These concerns were taken from the students' written
comments. While the Registrar has responded to SCUTL's March memorandum,
some concerns are still outstanding and will be pursued.
As Chair of SCUTL, I would like to express my appreciation of the Committee
members and recognize their work undertaken on behalf of Simon Fraser
University. The members for 1997/98 were L. Berggren, L. Kanevsky, J. Morris,
G. Poole, J. Stanley and P. Winne.
Submitted by:
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Irene M. Gordon
Chair, SCUTL
