Program feedback and review of curriculum and learning design will be undertaken by an updated policy (June 2022) Program Review Policy 3-11. The Centre for Teaching and Learning Innovation supports this process which will engage all credentialed programs at North Island College every seven years into a curriculum renewal and program review process.
- NOTE: For all the forms, templates, guides and exemplars along with video tutorials and handouts – go to SharePoint Team Sites (via MyNIC) and locate NIC Program Review Process!
- For the latest schedule of programs engaging in the process: Link to Schedule
What is Program Review?
Program Review is a faculty-led ongoing and systematic inquiry process whereby key student learning experience stakeholders reflect on the strengths of educational programs and identify areas for enhancement. The process of program review engages all participants in an evidence-based assessment of how well programs and departments are providing the best possible experience for student learning. The process is part of an ongoing curriculum renewal and review process.
Like all BC post-secondary institutions, North Island College is required by the College and Institutes Act to review programs and report out on them on a regular basis. The College’s Program Review Policy # 3-11 defines the process of program review at NIC: NIC Policy #3-11.
The Vice-President, Academic (VPA) oversees the program review process at NIC. The VPA establishes program review groups and annually, through consultations, produces the schedule. Programs progress through seven phases of the program review process with the assistance of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI).
What is the Purpose of Program Review?
Program review is a systematic evidence-based assessment of how well NIC programs are providing the best possible student learning experiences. Individual program review recommendations and action plans inform College-wide planning efforts, department level multi-year program plans, and course and program development and revision.
Program Review is led by instructors employed in the program grouping undergoing review in collaboration with the dean who directs the process. The purpose is to recommend future direction and changes through examination of the current state of a program group’s offerings using evidence provided by Institutional Research and through surveys and focus groups involving students, alumni, employers where applicable, an external evaluation team and other stakeholders. Reflection by faculty and staff on the information gathered, developments in each teaching area, pedagogical considerations, delivery methods and overall strengths and challenges is critical to a successful review.
The following criteria for program review are outlined in Quality Assurance Process Audit (QAPA) of the the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. These criteria are applicable, with some adaptation, to both degree and non-degree programming:
- Alignment of structure, admission requirements, method of delivery, and curriculum with the program’s learning outcomes and standards;
- Effective use of resources (physical, technological, financial and human);
- Quality of teaching and supervision and demonstrable currency in the field of specialization;
- Coherency of achieved learning outcomes with program’s stated goals, the credential level standard, and where appropriate, the standards of any related regulatory, accrediting, or professional association;
- Adequacy of methods used for student assessment and evaluation;
- Satisfaction of stakeholder groups (e.g. current students, graduates, employers, receiving institutions)
- Graduate outcomes (e.g. employment rates, graduation rate)
- Alignment with and contribution to institutional mandate, core values, and objectives.
How Does It All Work?
Given the complexity of the tasks and scheduling each program review group will require planning meetings of all members to get the most value out of the process. The data gathering and analysis will take a number of months to acquire and digest, reflect upon and then apply to the work of the self-study report. Once the self-study is complete with a focus on key recommendations for improvement the report is sent to an external review team.
External reviewers are required for each program review grouping. The external review team will consist of one NIC faculty member with knowledge of the program area under review but who is not a member of the program review team and two peers with equivalent knowledge who are not employed by NIC (typically from BC institutions with leadership experience in discipline). The external review team will create a report of their findings and submit to the dean.
Information emerging from the self-study and external review report will form the basis for the final report and action plan.
Help with data sourcing, and surveys and focus groups for students, alumni and other stakeholders will be provided by Institutional Research through the Director of the Centre Teaching and Learning Innovation’s office.