Our key statements about Learning, about Teaching and about Assessment

1. Student learning is at the heart of what we do

The quality of our students’ learning experience is at the heart of Edinburgh Napier University; it drives the work of our Faculties, Schools and Professional Services who work in partnership to evaluate and enhance, deliver and support a high quality student learning experience.

2. Teaching is highly regarded and valued

Teaching, in all its forms, is core to our vision, mission and strategy and, as such, is highly valued by the University, as are all staff who support the student learning process. 
 

3. We are ambitious for our students

The University is ambitious for its students and aims to develop both subject expertise and wider generic skills in educating and supporting them to succeed, progress and flourish during their time as members of the University community and, after their graduation, to continue as confident lifelong learners and to make a positive contribution to society.

4. We are diverse and embrace diversity

The University community is diverse; it embraces and welcomes students from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures. It encompasses learners studying in a range of locations, on our home campuses, in the workplace and with partners, regionally and overseas, using flexible curricula and with multiple exit/entry points. Our curriculum, our learning, teaching and assessment methods, our emphasis on learning transitions and student support and our use of technology to support and enhance learning all reflect this diversity.

5. We seek to appoint and develop high quality staff

The University is committed to appointing, supporting and developing high quality staff and recognises the value that students place on staff who are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, motivating and skilled, who challenge and stretch students to achieve their full potential, seek to ensure the currency of the education we offer through research- and industry-informed teaching and reflect on and respond to student feedback.

6. We encourage academic leadership and excellence

The University recognises the importance of its Schools in providing academic leadership at subject level in its pursuit of academic excellence, in ensuring continuing emphasis on professional engagement with research, scholarship and the pedagogy underpinning their curricula and in maintaining an emphasis on professional relevance.
 

7. Our teaching is pedagogically informed

All teaching interactions with students should be based on deliberate pedagogic decisions and be designed to optimise students’ learning. Well chosen teaching methods supported by appropriate technology should enhance students’ ability to learn, regardless of geographic location, learning approaches or needs.

8. We encourage innovation and free enquiry

The University seeks to create a culture of innovation and free enquiry embracing its students and its staff.

9. Assessment is key to learning and development

The University recognises the importance of assessment as motivation for learning. It recognises the value of formative and summative forms of assessment and that authentic and challenging assessment can develop confidence, a wide range of skills and attributes as well as academic ability; the University therefore emphasises well aligned assessment design and encourages the use of a wide range of assessment methods.

10. Feedback supports effective learning

The University sees constructive and timely feedback as essential to learning, and it recognises the high value our students place on such feedback. It regards feedback as an on-going and developmental dialogue which should develop students’ active engagement with their work and help foster reflection and autonomy. It recognises that good feedback may come from self- and peer-review as well as from staff assessments of performance.