– Teaching and Learning

• Covid-19 Information Hub
• Covid-19 Update webinars
• Covid-19 FAQs
• Official government guidance
• – Admissions and recruitment
• – Finance and Human Resources
• – International students and visas
• – Regulation and the OfS
• – Student Welfare, Support and Reopening Buildings
• – Teaching and Learning
• Useful resources

Current position

• OfS has published guidance on quality and standards, including teaching, examinations and assessments.
• IHE is working with UUK and AoC on guidance and best practice for collaborative partnerships.
• QAA is advising providers to consider a flexible application of policies and procedures and academic regulations to allow for mitigation or unforeseen circumstances.
• QAA has updated their information to support providers and their guidance to include assessing with integrity in digital delivery.
• QAA has highlighted the elevated risk from ‘contract cheating’ after noting increased activity from essay writing and other cheating services.
• DfE has announced the launch of a consultation on proposals for awarding other general, vocational and technical qualifications.
• DfE has released new guidance on apprenticeships addressing end point assessments, as well as guidance for employers and external quality assurance providers
• The Government initiative launched at the beginning of COVID-19 – The Skills Toolkit – is welcoming providers who offer a fully online, free course to apply for it to be listed on the site. Any provider interested should apply by 17 August.
• QAA has published new guidance on complaints and appeals, providing an overview of what changes providers have made to adapt in the context of COVID-19. The QAA will publish similar guidance for small and specialist providers.
• DfE has issued new temporary guidance for assessing those on Initial Teacher Training courses including revised criteria for assessment and supporting advice.

Official guidance 

• QAA support and guidance, including standards and quality and advice for degree-awarding bodies
• QAA specific guidance for providers on mitigating disruption for TNE students
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): apprenticeship programme response

Useful resources

Many providers are moving to fully online delivery for the first time. These resources may be of assistance:

• Jisc – Planning for Coronavirus (Covid-19) including moving teaching and learning online
• Jisc – Ensuring continuity of learning during enforced absence
• Jisc –  Microsoft Teams community space for strategic and operational continuity staff.
• QAA – Support for Higher Education Providers
• Kortext and JISC have launched a free student e-textbook programme
• QAA has opened a quality discussion forum to facilitate discussion about the current challenges across HE
• Open University – weekly drop-in for advice on switching to online learning
• QAA COVID-10 Support and Guidance