Documents and guidelines for ensuring the quality of online and hybrid teaching: Examples of good practice

3. Examples of good practice

The examples of good practice relate to quality assurance measures with a particular focus on ESG 1.3 Student-centred learning, teaching and assessment and ESG 1.6 Learning resources and student support. Analyse them to see how specific measures contribute to the achievement of ESG 1.3 and ESG 1.6. Pay attention to approaches that encourage active learning, timely feedback and the availability of resources for all students. Consider which elements you could apply or improve in your own environment to improve the quality of teaching and student support. Compare the examples with practices at your higher education institution and identify possible opportunities for developing or changing existing processes.

ESG Standard 1.3

ESG Standard 1.3 states that "Higher education institutions must ensure that programmes are delivered in a way that encourages students to take an active role in the learning process and that student assessment reflects this approach", and the guidelines state that student-centred learning and teaching play an important role in fostering student motivation, self-reflection and engagement in the learning process. This involves the careful design of study programmes and their delivery, as well as the assessment of outcomes. The implementation of student-centred learning and teaching includes:

respecting and adapting to the diversity of students and their needs, while enabling flexible learning paths
taking into account — where appropriate — the use of different teaching methods
flexible use of different pedagogical methods
regular evaluation and adaptation of different teaching methods and pedagogical methods
encouraging autonomy in students, with appropriate guidance and support from teachers
mutual respect between teacher and student
appropriate procedures for resolving student complaints.

ESG Standard 1.6

ESG 1.6. "Higher education institutions must adequately fund learning and teaching activities and ensure sufficient and easily accessible resources for learning and support for students", and the guidelines emphasize that in order to ensure a quality study experience, higher education institutions should offer students a variety of resources: from physical (libraries, workspaces, computer equipment) to human (tutors, mentors, advisors). Special attention should be paid to the needs of a diverse student population, including older, employed, international students and students with disabilities, and to encouraging flexible forms of learning. Internal quality systems should guarantee that all resources are purposeful, accessible and clearly presented to students. Support and administrative services should play a key role in this, and they must be professionally trained and have the opportunity to continuously develop their competencies.

Examples of good practice:

Faculty of Organization and Informatics, University of Zagreb

ESG 1.3 — Student-centered learning, teaching and assessment

In the area of ESG 1.3, the FOI plans and implements activities that include proposing minor changes to the curriculum in courses, through discussion at the department level, with final approval by the Faculty Council for the next academic year. This allows for fine-tuning of teaching content and teaching methods, which may include digital teaching, adaptation of working methods, material formats and communication channels to student needs.

ESG 1.6 –– Learning resources and student support

FOI continuously provides the resources necessary for quality learning: the IT support center monitors the correctness and availability of hardware equipment for classes, which is especially important for online classes. In addition, FOI develops support programmes for students from vulnerable and underrepresented groups, including adaptations, language and social supports.