A UNIFIED DIDACTIC FOUNDATION FOR AARHUS UNIVERSITY’S TECH FACULTY: EXPERIENCES AND IMPACT

This paper describes the data collection and analysis of a survey on the awareness and usefulness of a didactic foundation among the educational management at Aarhus University’s TECH faculty. The didactic foundation is a document containing a set of principles and guidelines for designing and delivering high-quality education. The survey was conducted using a web-based questionnaire that was sent to 31 respondents who had different roles in the educational management, such as head of degree program, deputy head of department, vice dean, etc. The response rate was 68%. The research found that most respondents are aware of the didactic foundation document and see it as a useful tool for enhancing teaching quality and communication. Despite its usefulness, implementation is hindered by lack of resources, unclear mandates, and lack of motivation among faculty. The content is generally agreed upon, but respondents highlight challenges in practical implementation. The responses may reflect the dual roles of respondents as both teachers and part of the educational management. The paper describes several follow-up strategies. It emphasizes the importance of making educational resources easily accessible and fostering communication among educational management, teachers, and students. It suggests conducting a follow-up study to understand the level of awareness about the didactic foundation among students and teachers. We also highlight the need for integrating the foundation into existing events like pedagogical days and section meetings, to avoid ‘meeting fatigue’ and foster discourse on educational quality. Finally, the paper underscores the didactic foundation’s role in facilitating a smooth transition for new students and promoting student retention.