To support the two areas of the Tertiary Quality Project, QAA Scotland held two co-creation workshops at West Lothian College on 11 October 2023, which brought together more than 60 staff and students from across Scotland’s colleges and universities. 

Activity during the morning workshop focused firstly on developing the new review method, with delegates asked to work on an exercise which considered the key components of a cyclical external review method and a range of options which could be used to deliver each one. Delegates then moved on to discuss a short series of questions which explored the composition and skills of the review team. You can download copies of the exercises used during the workshop. 

In the afternoon workshop, delegates working in groups were asked to complete a tabletop exercise. A number of ‘wicked’ problems (for example, learner transitions into a programme/course of study) were used as a framework to support colleagues to design an approach to delivering national enhancement activity. Each table was given a set of cards which set out design considerations and options for a number of the key components that QAA believes are essential to successfully deliver a national approach to enhancement. Participants were asked to discuss design considerations options, rejecting those they feel are not appropriate, and to present a final model that collectively captured each group’s view. 

QAA is currently analysing the data gathered at both workshops to support the development of a draft guide for the new review method and a series of proposed delivery models for the tertiary enhancement activity.  Further details will be available soon!