Doctoral Degrees (School of Higher Education Studies)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (School of Higher Education Studies) by Subject "Action coaching"

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    Quality assessment of the management of an instructional offering process: research methodology in the B.Tech. programme in technikons: a systems approach
    (University of the Free State, 2002-11) Du Toit, Lillette; Hay, H. R.
    English: This study focuses on the quality of the management of an instructional offering (10) process: Research Methodology, in the B.Tech. programme in technikons by means of a systems approach. The B.Tech.: Office Management and Technology in the School for Secretarial Studies and Education in the Faculty of Human Sciences at the Border Technikon, a historically disadvantaged technikon, was used as a case study. Theoretical perspectives of the challenges for change in the organisational culture of higher education institutions and the different organisational cultures the institutions need to embark on in order to prepare for quality improvement, are supplied. The context of quality assurance in the higher education statutory landscape, as well as the pivotal role of self-assessment in quality assurance in higher education is provided. The models and management approaches to quality assurance in higher education provided the context in which the self-assessment instrument was adapted for application to the 10 process. The objective of the extensive literature review on action learning and action research supplied a solid base to apply the methodology in practice. Theoretical perspectives on the different organisational cultures of higher education institutions are supplied. The purpose for this is to sensitise the reader to the challenges brought about by change which the higher education institutions are faced with if they are serious about quality assurance. The notions of quality and quality assurance as well as the various factors influencing quality assurance in higher education are sketched within the international quality assurance trends in higher education. South African policies and perspectives are also discussed to establish the impact of these on the quality assurance and self-assessment approaches of higher education institutions. This case study is undertaken to provide an in-depth study of the quality of the management of an 10 process in a B.Tech. programme at Border Technikon. A qualitative research method by means of action research and action learning was used to establish the quality of the management of the 10 process. An initial process map of the 10 was designed and critically reflected on by academic peers, resulting in an improved process map. A self-assessment of the 10 process was carried out by means of an adapted instrument based on the SAEF Level 3 criteria and the Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence. Within the framework of the literature consulted and the comprehensive annotated bibliography undertaken, the AL team critically reflected upon the outcomes of the self-assessment. The areas that were identified for improvement in the management of the 10 process were prioritised and action plans to address these were executed. The reason for the research done in this case study, as well as the positive reflection on the results from the action research and the action learning applied by the AL team reflects the need for quality management of the core processes (the 10 processes) of a higher education institution such as Border Technikon. This research was not merely carried out for the sake of obtaining a higher qualification or degree, but rather for the value of its outcomes for the quality assurance and quality management processes at Border Technikon, as well as for higher education institutions similar to Border Technikon. This study displayed the importance of the quality of process management in the quality assurance activities and the institutional review process of higher education institutions which have to be accredited by an external body such as the Higher Education Quality Committee.