The NIC Self Study Story Outline has six main sections. Within each section there are questions to guide you through the process of reflecting on what to include – both in terms of description and critical reflection. Note that data gathered and included in the Self-Study needs to be reported on in ways that preserve the anonymity of contributions (i.e., the Self-Study should not include any raw data).
Before completing the template, a useful resource to check out is: VIU Managing Your Program, which includes ideas for how to approach writing the sections relating to teaching and learning practices, currency of a program, and engagement in professional and scholarly learning.
- Our commitment to learners – what are the underlying values and philosophy of the program? You might want to think about the program learning outcomes, what students can expect to experience, how far the program goals align with relevant professional standards etc. For more about understanding program goals, alignment etc., go to the Curriculum Renewal and Design section.
- Our program structures – this section explores the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of how a program came into being, how it’s currently scheduled, how learning experiences meet the needs of the program, and what resources are available. In the current context, this is likely to be more complex given the changes in delivery since March 2020.
- Our learning community – who are the faculty in your program? Who are your students? How do faculty and students come together with a sense of community? What supports are available to support students? Completing this section may include reaching out to other members of the college community to gain a sense of the broader range of supports available to your program’s students.
- Our practices – this section provides an opportunity to think about how the program supports students in their program level goals, how the program supports an inclusive and accessible learning experience, and how student learning and growth is assessed and evaluated. Take a look at the section on Student Learning for ideas on what you might include in this section. Check out also University of Calgary Guide to Providing Evidence of Teaching.
- Our collective impact – what is success? What have students and faculty accomplished over the years? What attributes have students developed going through your program and how are then they able to contribute to the community beyond the College? What steps might your program need to take to enhance these outcomes?
- Our key learning and next steps – for this section you may want to consider the strengths that have been uncovered through going through the program review process so far, and how you envisage the future direction of the program. Part of this reflection might include considering what you have learnt / envisage in the light Widening-Our-Doorways 10-point Plan.