History on trial: Evaluating learning outcomes through audit and accreditation in a national standards environment

Authors

  • Sean Brawley Macquarie University
  • Jennifer Clark University of New England
  • Chris Dixon University of Queensland
  • Lisa Ford University of New South Wales
  • Erik Nielsen Macquarie University
  • Shawn Ross MacQuarie University
  • Stuart Upton University of New South Wales

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.3.2.89

Keywords:

After Standards Project, history, learning outcomes assessment, quality assurance, quality improvement, disciplinary standards, national standards

Abstract

This paper uses a trial audit of history programs undertaken in 2011-2012 to explore issues surrounding the attainment of Threshold Learning Outcomes (TLOs) in an emerging Australian national standards environment for the discipline of history. The audit sought to ascertain whether an accreditation process managed by the discipline under the auspices of the Australian Historical Association (AHA) could be based on a limited-intervention, “light-touch” approach to assessing attainment of the TLOs. The results of the audit show that successful proof of TLO attainment would only be possible with more active intervention into existing history majors and courses. Assessments across all levels of history teaching would have to be designed, undertaken, and marked using a rubric matched to the TLOs. It proved unrealistic to expect students to demonstrate acquisition of the TLOs from existing teaching and assessment practices. The failure of the “light-touch” audit process indicates that demonstrating student attainment under a national standards regime would require fundamental redevelopment of the curriculum. With standards-based approaches to teaching and learning emerging as international phenomena, this case study resonates beyond Australia and the discipline under investigation.

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Author Biographies

Sean Brawley, Macquarie University

Sean Brawley is Professor and Head of Department for the Department of Modern History, Politics, and International Relations at Macquarie University (Australia).

Jennifer Clark, University of New England

Jennifer Clark is Professor of History in the School of Humanities at the University of New England (Australia).

Chris Dixon, University of Queensland

Chris Dixon is Associate Professor of History in the School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics at the University of Queensland (Australia).

Lisa Ford, University of New South Wales

Lisa Ford is Associate Professor of History in the School of Humanities and Languages at the University of New South Wales (Australia).

Erik Nielsen, Macquarie University

Erik Nielsen is an Honorary Fellow at the Department of Modern History, Politics, and International Relations at Macquarie University (Australia).

Shawn Ross, MacQuarie University

Shawn Ross is Associate Professor of History and Deputy Director of the Big History Institute at Macquarie University (Australia).

Stuart Upton, University of New South Wales

Stuart Upton is Academic Programs Manager, Faculty of Engineering, at the University of New South Wales (Australia).

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Published

2015-09-01

How to Cite

Brawley, Sean, Jennifer Clark, Chris Dixon, Lisa Ford, Erik Nielsen, Shawn Ross, and Stuart Upton. 2015. “History on Trial: Evaluating Learning Outcomes through Audit and Accreditation in a National Standards Environment”. Teaching and Learning Inquiry 3 (2):89-105. https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.3.2.89.