Graduate outcomes: - Are they driving learning? And who knows about them?

Project Description

Increased emphasis on outcomes-based learning has resulted in higher education organisations identifying sets of graduate outcomes (i.e., attributes orf profiles). However, several researchers have suggested there is a gap between institutional rhetoric and the reality concerning graduate outcomes. This research aims to explore current policy and practice regarding graduate outcomes in higher education institutions in New Zealand. The project will undertake a stock-take of how universities and polytechnics engage with graduate outcomes, and then conduct in-depth case studies in four institutions to explore examples of good practice and benefits to learners. Finally a synthesis across the cases will allow identification of the factors that enable (and hinder) the effective engagement of staff and students with graduate outcomes. Such research will generate a national stock-take of the policy and practice surrounding graduate outcomes, as well provide a rich source of advice for tertiary education managers and practitioners.

Project Team

Associate Professor Rachel Spronken-Smith (Contact Project Leader), University of Otago
Associate Professor Simon Barrie, University of Sydney
Margaret Leonards, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT)
Martin Jenkins, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT)
Dr Carol Bond, University of Otago
Martine M-L Darrou, University of Otago
Dr Stanley Frielick, AUT University
Dr Stephen Marshall, Victoria University of Wellington