Management Measures for Monitoring the Self-Study Workload of Students in ASIIN Accredited Programmes at Nanchang Institute of Science and Technology

Article 1 To better adapt to international educational trends, regulate and strengthen the supervision of student workloads, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of students and colleges, and improve the quality of talent cultivation, and promote the high-quality development of education in our university, and better serve economic and social development. Hence, we have formulated the Management Measures for Monitoring the Self-Study Workload of Students in ASIIN Accredited Programmes at Nanchang Institute of Science and Technology

Article 2 The purpose of this management method is to monitor and manage the workload of students via a scientific and organized way, ensuring that their learning burden is within a rational range, promoting the all-round development of students, enhancing teaching quality and effectiveness. The goal is to ensure that the students’ duration of self-study matches the credits set in the module manual, to assess their learning load by monitoring their after-class learning time, and then to adjust the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) based on the assessment results. Meanwhile, the feedback mechanism is established so that students can the teaching situation and promote the continuous improvement of teaching methods and content.

Article 3 Monitoring requirements and methods.

 I. Methods for calculating the duration of students’ self-study.

For each course, detailed statistics are required on the total time required by students for prereview, exercises and homework, after-class review and test preparation, etc. This includes all learning activities related to courses that students engage in outside of class.

Teachers should set clear homework and exercise requirements, and provide appropriate estimated time, so that students can arrange their learning progress reasonably.

Students should complete homework and exercises on time and record the time it takes. Additionally, students should also participate in preview and review activities to ensure a thorough understanding and mastery of the course content.

Teachers should regularly collect records of students’ homework and exercises, as well as students’ self-study time to conduct subsequent monitoring and analysis

II. Methods for assessing the workload of students.

The student workload deviation rate is set at 5% based on the time students spend on self-study, family assignments, and test preparations, etc. If the monitoring results show that the students’ learning time is above or below this weight coefficient range, the ECTS credit allocation for the course will be reconsidered. If the students’ learning load is too heavy, it may be necessary to reduce ECTS credits or adjust the course content to make it less challenging. If the students’ learning load is too light, it may be necessary to increase ECTS credits or increase the course content to enhance the students learning challenge.

The assessment of students’ workload will be based on both students-reported learning time and teachers observed learning activities. Students should regularly report their learning progress and time allocation to teachers, so that teachers understand students learning status and needs.

Teachers will adjust teaching plans and methods based on students learning situations and workload assessment results, in order to meet students learning needs and enhance teaching effect.

Article 4 Monitoring process and implementation.

I. Data collection

Data on students’ self-study time are collected regularly through online learning, questionnaire, students’ self-report, etc. Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data, to provide a basis for subsequent monitoring and analysis.

Teachers should clarify the purpose and method of data collection to students at the beginning of the course, and guide them on how to properly record their learning time. In addition, teachers should provide the essential learning resources and guidance to help students arrange their learning time reasonably.

II. Data analysis

Collating and analyzing the collected data of students’ self-study time, and calculating the comparison between the actual time required by students for each course and the self-study credits set in the module manual. Through comparative analysis, we can understand whether the students’ learning burden is reasonable and whether there is deviation.

If it is found that the learning burden on students exceeds or falls below a reasonable range, students are expected to communicate with relevant teachers in time to jointly explore solutions. Based on the actual circumstances, it may be necessary to adjust the ECTS allocation for courses and optimize the course content or improve the teaching methods.

III. Result feedback and adjustment

The monitoring results will be timely fed back to students and teachers so that they can understand their learning status and teaching effect. Meanwhile, interactions and exchanges between students and teachers are encouraged, which jointly promote the improvement of teaching quality.

Based on the results of monitoring and students’ make appropriate adjustments and improvements to the ECTS credits allocation for courses, the content of courses, and the teaching methods of teachers. Ensuring that the learning burden on students is within a reasonable range, and improving their learning outcomes and satisfaction. Specific adjustment measures are as follows:

(1) When the actual self-study time of students is more than 5% higher or lower than the planned self-study time, and the percentage of students with such deviation is less than 5%, the university will continue to observe the workload of students in that course and not make adjustments.

(2)When the actual self-study time of students is more than 5% higher or lower than the planned self-study time, and the percentage of students with such deviation is more than 5% but less than 10%, the university will maintain the total credits for that course unchanged, and adjust the ratio of taught study hours to self-study hours to ensure that the overall workload of students is within a reasonable range.

(3) When the actual self-study time of students is more than 5% higher or lower than the planned self-study time, and the percentage of students with such deviation is more than 10%, and if it’s the first time it happens, the university will maintain the total credits for that course unchanged and carry out various strategies such as adjusting teaching content, teaching methods, the amount of exercises, online learning resources, etc., to keep students workload within a reasonable range.

(4) When the actual self-study time of students is more than 5% higher or lower than the planned self-study time, and the percentage of students with such deviation is continuously more than 10% for three years in a row, the university will adjust the ECTS credits allocation for that course.

Article 5 Establishing a system for assessing teaching, where students are encouraged to various aspects of their teachers performance, including quality of teaching, content of courses, and volume of homework. Through students feedback, teachers can understand their learning needs and opinions, which provide a basis for  teaching improvement. Regularly collecting and analyzing students data to understand their satisfaction and learning burden situation of courses. In response to any problems and deficiencies, take immediate action to improve and optimize. Building a communication and interaction mechanism between students and teachers to encouraging students to put forward questions and make suggestions. For any learning difficulties or issues faced by students, teachers should provide timely guidance and help to ensure they can complete their learning tasks.

Article 6 Strengthen the protection and management of students’ self-study time data to ensure the security and privacy of data. Only authorized personnel can access and use the relevant data. Establishing a monitoring mechanism to ensure the effective implementation of management measures. Checking and the monitoring work regularly, and rectify and improve the problem in time. Strengthening the training and guidance of teachers to improve their teaching level and ability. Teachers are encouraged to participate in monitoring to provide students with better learning support and guidance. Strengthening exchanges and cooperation with domestic and foreign universities, and learning from their advanced experience and practices, and constantly improving and optimizing the management methods of student workload monitoring.

Appendix

Course form

I. General questions

1. What semester are you currently in?

A. 1-2 semesters B. 3-4 semesters C. 5-6 semesters D. 7-8 semesters, E. 9 and above semesters

2. Is this a required course? ( )

A. Yes     B. No

3. How interested are you in this course before taking it? ( )

Give a score between 1 and 5, where 1 indicates very interested and 5 indicates a little interested.

II. Course>

1. The objectives of this course are clear from the beginning. ( )

Give a score between 1 and 5, where 1 indicates complete agreement with the statement and 5 indicates complete disagreement.

2. The course has a clear curriculum structure. ( )

Give a score between 1 and 5, where 1 indicates complete agreement with the statement and 5 indicates complete disagreement.

3. The lessons are taught in an understandable manner. ( )

Give a score between 1 and 5, where 1 indicates complete agreement with the statement and 5 indicates complete disagreement.

4. Students questions and concerns are all taken into account. ( )

Give a score between 1 and 5, where 1 indicates complete agreement with the statement and 5 indicates complete disagreement.

5. My learning outcomes are high. ( )

Give a score between 1 and 5, where 1 indicates complete agreement with the statement and 5 indicates complete disagreement.

III. Workload

Please fill in the weekly self-study time required for prereview, exercises and homework, after-class review and exam preparation according to the actual situation of your course: ( ) (unit: hours/week)

IV. Concluding questions

1 My overall impression of the course was very good. ( )

Give a score between 1 and 5, where 1 indicates complete agreement with the statement and 5 indicates complete disagreement.