Ans: Yes, DAPQA is part of the University of Cape Coast
Ans: Down Floor of the Old Administration Block, Old Site Campus
Ans: Various data are collected from students. These include Appraisal of courses and teaching which is used for both formative and summative purposes for decision-making by University Management at various levels. Other data like perception on teaching infrastructure and others are analysed and used for decision-making to improve on services rendered by the university.
Ans: The benefits are enormous. It helps the individual Lecturers and Departments to identify their strengths and students in the areas of teaching and assessment. With this knowledge, the training needs of Lecturers are identified and steps are taken to address them through in-service training. The University Management uses the information to facilitate confirmation of appointments and promotion of academic staff and finally, University Management depends on the data to improve the services for academic staff and students.
Ans: DAPQA was not set up to witch hunt or whip staff who absent themselves from lectures. It seeks to improve the quality of service delivery. Hence, any case of absenteeism is dealt with on its merit.
Ans: The Lecturer looks for another time convenient to students and makes up for the lost time.
Ans: There are unannounced monitoring exercises that the directorate undertakes. The Directorate is, therefore, able to capture Lecturers who do not come to class, especially for the regular programmes.
Ans: That responsibility should be in the hands of the individual Lecturers. Each Lecturer should endeavour to keep records of students' attendance and act on them appropriately.
Ans: Since DAPQA operates Total Quality Management, University Management is part of the monitoring activities, hence they are also assessed.
Ans: The assessment is holistic, hence every staff and activity is assessed.
Ans: Appraisal of Courses and Teaching is online and every student is required to assess his or her Lecturer. Since it is online, every lecturer is expected to be assessed by his or her students in the comfort of their homes and everywhere they deem fit provided there is the internet.
Ans: Yes. As indicated earlier, the information facilitates decisions on confirmation of staff appointments and promotions to mention but a few.
Ans: Most of the time action is taken but there is a need to work on students' and staff attitudes towards the usage of these facilities since properties belonging to the University ought to be handled with care.
Ans: Yes. This will help University Management to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Ans: Yes. As pointed out, they aid in making vital decisions.
Ans: His or her Head of Department has to counsel him or her. Sometimes, training is provided in the area of weakness.
Ans: A lot of improvement has been observed in recent times. Some Lecturers who have challenges in methodology are advised to enrol for Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) to improve. Others observe how colleagues deliver their courses and learn from them.
Ans: It is intrinsic, hence self-motivating. It is also used as part of the promotion criteria for the lecturers.
Ans: We check the nature of the lecture theatres and halls before the commencement of lectures; we collect data on security, staff attitudes to students, tracer studies and a lot more.