The Peer Review Portal (PRP) is a cloud-based review management system and online community of practice for quality assurance and review with no infrastructure or redevelopment costs. The review management system can be linked to other institutional online systems and reporting.

The Peer Review Portal is referred to in the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency's (TEQSA) external referencing guidance note as an optional online support mechanism for external review and external referencing.

There is an increasing onus on higher education institutions across the sector to demonstrate an evidence-based approach to self assurance.

For example, Curtin University is using the Peer Review Portal to support their Curriculum Analysis, Review and Renewal Schedule (2018-2022).

Some background information:

A higher education collaborative, streamlined approach to institutional self-assurance and accreditation (Booth, 2020)

Assessment in Practice (NILOA): The Peer Review Portal: Using an Online College of Peers Network and Collaborator Role for Reporting Professional Accreditation, Course Accreditation and Assessment Activity (Booth, 2018)

External Referencing of Standards (EROS) Project (2016)

Good Practice Report: Assuring Learning Outcomes Standards (Freeman & Ewan, 2014)

Peer review of Assessment Networks: Sector-wide options for calibrating and assuring achievement standards within and across disciplines and other networks (Booth et al, 2015)

TEQSA best-paper in quality: A cost effective solution for external referencing of accredited course of study (Booth, 2017).

The cost benefits of using the Peer Review Portal include:

• No annual subscription fees, works on a user pays system at $90+GST per review project

• It significantly reduces current costs in quality assurance

• There are no infrastructure costs or redevelopment costs

• Automatic review management system in the cloud

• Data confidentiality and security

• Ease of use and virtual access

• Access to free online community to chat and share practice

• No duplication of effort creates much greater efficiencies in time

• Customised templates

• Connectivity with teams, networks and other online systems (including regulatory/accrediting bodies)

• Automatic reporting and calibration

• Efficient use of resources both internal and external

• Can include consultants and external experts

• Can be used for professional development

• Consider these costs and these benefits with your own institutional practice and costs for all types of course accreditation/reviews (including time taken to complete reviews, administration, reporting and consultancy costs )

Contact: info@peerreivewportal.com for more information

The Peer Review Portal can be used as an evidence-based review management system and online community of practice for quality assurance and review which can include:

• Panels and Chairperson

• Academic committees and quality departments

• Industry and professional accreditation bodies

• Disciplines and networks

• Broadcast function for reviewers and institutions

• Support for regulatory decisions and evidence of standards

• Professional development workshops

• Calibration functionality

• Scholarship activities

• Management reporting for evidence-based decision making

• Online Peer Review Portal Community with public/private groups and shared resources

• 24/7access to this community by mobile, iPad and computer

• To find out more about our services in quality assurance and review, please contact: Dr Sara Booth: Sara.Booth@peerreviewportal.com

Support Service 1. Annual course review and benchmarking service

• We have an annual course review and benchmarking service. We work with HE institutions across the sector to benchmark their courses to meet TEQSA HESF (2015) requirements

• These sector reviews meet TEQSA Standards requirements: 1.3.5, 1.4.1, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 5.3.1, 5.3.4, 5.3.7

• TEQSA's External Referencing Guidance Note

Support Service 2. External benchmarking projects

• We undertake national and global benchmarking projects on an annual basis based on strategic themes in quality assurance and review. Examples include: assessment, student support, first year transition support and retention, academic integrity

• This process involves comparing sector data, processes and evidence to identify areas of good practice, areas for improvement and areas for further development. Institutions put forward their institutional recommendations for evidence-based decision making

Support Service 3. Provide online workshops on quality assurance and review

• We provide cost-effective online workshops based on strategic themes in quality assurance and review

• We can also work with your institution/course teams to support you in quality assurance and review

Support Service 4: Policy development and review

• We provide a service reviewing academic policies and procedures and work with your institution to provide relevant, concise and context-specific policy documentation to meet regulatory standards

Some examples of sector reports showing how HE institutions can work together on quality review:

• IHEA Collaborative Working Model for External Moderation and Integrity of the Assessment Process. See Report

• UECA National Guidance Document for External Referencing of ELICOS Direct Entry Program Standards. See Report

Some policies and procedures:

• Charles Sturt University (CSU) has a comprehensive website on external review of assessment called Benchmarking at CSU . There are videos and support material including External Benchmarking Procedures and Specific Information for Subject Coordinators

• Curtin University uses the Peer Review Portal for their comprehensive curriculum review process call Curriculum Analysis, Review and Renewal Process (CARR). See their website for a Schedule of Reviews

• ICMS has an External Referencing Procedure which uses the Portal for external referencing purposes and for scholarship

• The University of Sunshine Coast (USC) has External Referencing: Peer Review of Assessment Procedures which uses the Peer Review Portal

• The University of Wollongong (UOW) has an External Referencing: Peer Review of Assessment Standards Procedure which uses the Peer Review Portal

• Victoria University (VU) uses their External Referencing Procedure to assist them with maintaining and evidencing the quality of courses, units, teaching methods, assessment models, student progress, student experience and graduate outcomes. They have noted using the Peer Review Portal as one of the tools that their course teams can use.

• A summary of roles and responsibilities in external referencing activities across VU is below:

  • Director of Learning and Teaching (or equivalent) establish an External Referencing Plan for all courses

  • Select and liaise with appropriate benchmarking partner(s) for courses to be reviewed via call-outs on the portal or other methods

  • Course Chair uploads material for review to the portal

  • Dean of relevant College approves the results of benchmarking activities as part of the Annual Course Monitoring and Comprehensive Course Review

  • Director, Academic Quality Standards approves a proposed professional accreditation-linked benchmarking

  • Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, approves the results of benchmarking activities as part of course concept proposals

A sector resource developed using the Portal:

• External Peer Review of Assessment: A Guide to Supporting the External Referencing of Academic Standards . This resource was developed by a CAULLT Project Team (Assoc Prof Gail Wilson, Southern Cross University, Assoc Prof Simon Bedford, Western Sydney University, and Prof Kylie Readman, Murdoch University). This resource is intended to provide support to academic staff engaging in external review of assessment. It is aimed at experienced reviewers and for people preparing to review for the first time. Funding for this project was provided by the Council of Australasian University Leaders in Learning and Teaching (CAULLT).

Step 1. Access to online Peer Review Portal Community

• Every time a new User registers on the Peer Review Portal, they have access to our free online community of practice

• The aim of this online community of practice is to chat and share ideas across the sector

• Key topics include: Sector news, Portal updates, Share Resources, Reviewer Recruitment, Portal Bugs, Suggestion Box, Site Feedback and Events and Workshops

• There are both public and private groups that communities and networks can use to share information on quality assurance and review

Go to our online Peer Review Portal Community