Implementation Plan
| Recommendation | Proposed follow-up and resource implications | Responsibility for leading follow-up | Timeline for addressing recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEAB Common Finding 1. Learning outcomes and graduate attribute indicators used interchangeably. There appeared to be some confusion between the differences between the two. |
During the academic year 2022-2023, the department developed a database to manage graduate attribute statistics instead of using an Excel spreadsheet. This will allow the addition of learning outcomes to the self-assessment system which will then include learning outcomes at the lowest level, indicators in the middle and graduate attribute at the highest level. This new system will provide a clear distinction between learning outcomes which are course-based and indicators which are program-based and remove any confusion. Moreover, a course syllabus template has been developed which include learning outcomes for each course has been developed to standardize the information gathered across courses. This will provide the necessary information to populate the database. This new system will be used during the academic year 2023-2024. |
ECE Department Head | The collection of Graduate Attributes (GA) statistics using the new system will start in fall 2023 and a full year of statistics will be collected in May 2024 at which the transition to a learning outcome-based GA statistic collection will be completed. |
| CEAB Common Finding 2. Insufficient indicators were used. In some cases, there was only a single measurement for an indicator or there was reliance on a single course and/or the indicator. For some graduate attributes not all indicators were used. Often, Introduced and Applied were identified, but no Developed. | The new GA program using three level of metrics will provide a much broader assessment and a large number of learning outcomes (a few hundreds) will be measured and mapped to indicators specifying if the learning outcome introduce, develop or apply the indicator. | ECE Department Head | The collection of GA statistics using the new system will start in fall 2023 and a full year of statistics will be collected in May 2024 at which the transition to a learning outcome-based GA statistic collection will be completed. |
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CEAB Common Finding 3. Stakeholder engagement is limited mostly to internal representation. A broader set of external stakeholders including alumni (still in military and ex-military) should be engaged. Also, stakeholder roles in the improvement process is inadequately demonstrated. |
In response to CEAB Common Findings 1, 2 and 3, as well as certain programme-specific findings, the Dean of Engineering convened a committee with representatives from all programmes. The committee’s recommendations are being provided as a Faculty-wide directive on GA and CI. Implementation of the changes will impose significant additional work on all Engineering Departments as well as the Dean’s office, both during the transition and on an ongoing basis. It may be appropriate to re-create the position of Associate Dean (Accreditation and Programme) on an ongoing basis to provide oversight and support. |
Dean of Engineering |
Directive on GA and CI to be released June 2022. New processes to be implemented starting in September 2022. Review of process outcomes and revision of processes in June 2023. |
| CEAB Electrical Finding 1. It is not possible to conclude whether graduates do/do not possess the attribute based on the collected data. | The new GA process developed during the academic year 2022-2023 and first implemented during the academic year 2023-2024 will provide a much more conclusive view of whether graduates do or do not process certain indicators or attributes. By using a database, the new process will allow us to dig into the data to better find root causes of problems | ECE Department Head | The collection of GA statistics using the new system will start in fall 2023 and a full year of statistics will be collected in May 2024 at which the transition to a learning outcome-based GA statistic collection will be completed. |
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ERC Recommendation 1. Ensuring the professional licensing of the military faculty |
As of May 2021 the Canadian Armed Forces provides reimbursement of PEng licensing expenses to military faculty members in the Faculty of Engineering at RMC. | Dean of Engineering | Complete |