Aligning ANU courses to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

Constructive alignment

Constructive alignment refers to starting the course design process with the intended learning outcomes and aligning teaching and assessment to those outcomes (Biggs, 2014).

The infographic below shows that constructive alignment occurs when all three components are interconnected and there is clear alignment between:

• what students are expected to learn (Learning outcomes),
• how they learn it (Learning activities), and
• how their understanding is assessed (Assessment).

The example below demonstrates constructive alignment in a course and how learning outcomes must be taught and assessed.

Course learning outcome: Present insights and recommendations from data analysis using a variety of methods to a non-specialist audience.

Learning activities: Individual and group work tasks, comparing and analysing different methods of data dissemination, case studies etc.

Assessment: Oral presentation on evaluations of data analysis supported with visualisations. Context for a non-specialist corporate audience.

Aligning ANU courses to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

Learning outcomes need to align with the expected knowledge and skills required for the level of qualification. For instance, in a co-taught course, the Bachelor level course learning outcomes should be distinguished from the Master level course learning outcomes. 

Knowledge and skills

Use the Australian Qualifications Framework to determine the required complexity and achievement requirements of your course. Check the knowledge, skills, and application of knowledge and skills required for students at this level and contextualise the learning outcomes to them. 

AQF levels and ANU policy examples 

Below is a brief summary of two AQF level descriptors along with a link to ANU policy that outlines the standards which underpin the accreditation of academic programs and courses. Please note, there are other AQF levels relevant to ANU courses; this is only a small snapshot.

	Bachelor program courses (AQF level 7)	Master’s program courses  (AQF level 9)
AQF	Graduates at this level will have broad and coherent knowledge and skills for professional work and/or further learning.	Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning

Comparing co-taught courses

Below are some examples of how learning outcomes can be different depending on the course level in co-taught courses.

Bachelor program courses	Master’s program courses
Identify the differences between trademarks, copyright, and patenting as mechanisms to protect intellectual property.	Appraise the differences between trademarks, copyright, and patenting as mechanisms to protect intellectual property, relating to own professional practice.
Examine a variety of digital humanities research methods and practices.	Analyse and critically evaluate a variety of digital humanities research methods and practice.
Apply predictive analytic techniques to solve estimation and classification problems.	Apply predictive analytic techniques to solve complex estimation and classification problems.
Analyse debates surrounding the term ‘Asia literacy’ and other scholarly terms related to Asia engagement.	Examine past and present debates regarding ‘Asian engagement’, and critically engage in the theories that apply to Asian studies scholarship in this field.
Identify and analyse the diversity of values gained from forested landscapes, and the objectives for which they are managed, both internationally and in Australia.	Analyse and evaluate the diversity of values gained from forested landscapes, and the objectives for which they are managed, both internationally and in Australia.

Further resources

The Australian Qualifications Framework

ANU Policy: Academic programs and courses accreditation 

References

Biggs, J. (2014). Constructive alignment in university teaching. HERDSA Review of Higher Education, 1, pp. 5-22

Australian Qualifications Framework. (2013). AQF Glossary of Terminology. Australian Qualifications Framework. https://www.aqf.edu.au/publication/aqf-glossary