Project work in partner universities 1999 - 2000:
The University of Reading
The University of Reading has a total student population of over 12,000
to whom it offers a wide-range of inter-related single and combined subject
programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in a research active
environment. Although often praised in QAA Subject Review (and before them
in Teaching Quality Assessment) reports, a recent internal review of the
University’s Personal Tutor system highlighted some areas which the University
is keen to address. The main weakness of the present system is that no
formal records are required to be kept of meetings between students and
their personal tutors. In addition, the University is currently improving
its student provision in the area of key skills, including career management,
which are to be embedded into the curriculum. As well as being given the
opportunity to develop these skills students also need to be enabled to
reflect on their progress.
The University sees the development of Personal Academic Records for
students as an ideal way to record not only academic progress, but also
to document pastoral care. Further it allows students to reflect on and
evaluate their academic and personal progress in many areas including key
skills in a way which will benefit both students and academic staff.
Five departments, one from each of the Faculties, have developed their
own PARs by customising the one developed by the English department in
the University of Nottingham and after consultation with students and the
personal tutors. The PAR material is now being used with first year students
and is being evaluated. If these pilots prove to be successful the University
intends to introduce the scheme campus-wide over the next five years.
