Publications

HEQCO conducts and commissions studies and evaluations, often in partnership with Ontario’s colleges and universities, on key issues in accessibility, quality and accountability. Various organizations and individuals have considerable and valuable expertise in postsecondary education research. The research publications below reflect this collaboration with some of the best thinkers on issues related to higher education. Join our mailing list and keep current with the latest HEQCO research.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

At HEQCO, we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. To request HEQCO material in alternate formats, please contact info@heqco.ca​​.

The Effects of a Required Faculty Development Program on Novice Faculty Self-Efficacy and Teaching

Research Summary: New faculty who participate in required development program more confident in their teaching Durham College’s Certificate in College Teaching, a required faculty development program, helped new faculty develop the skills they need to be better teachers, according to a new report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). Faculty gained confidence […]

Researching Teaching and Student Outcomes in Postsecondary Education: An Introduction

Research Summary: New edition of research guide helps practitioners assess teaching and learning The second edition of Researching Teaching and Student Outcomes in Postsecondary Education: An Introduction is now available online.  The guide is produced by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. All sections have been updated, with additional content on student recruitment and ethics. Endorsed […]

Evaluating Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in Large Classes: Model Eliciting Activities for Critical Thinking Development

Measures to assess critical thinking in the classroom should be better integrated into the curriculum There is considerable agreement that critical thinking skills are a desired learning outcome of any postsecondary credential – important in both the personal and professional lives of students and graduates – yet how to measure these skills remains unclear. A […]

Enhanced Learning of Manipulation Techniques using Force-Sensing Table Technology (FSTT)

Research Summary: Force-Sensing Table a Useful Tool for Teaching Chiropractic Skills A tool for teaching chiropractic techniques, Force-Sensing Table Technology (FSTT) measures the nature of the force being applied to the spine and provides real-time feedback to the student and instructor. A new study by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) finds that […]

AHELO: The Ontario Experience

Standardized international learning outcomes assessment possible but needs refining The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO) feasibility study was successful in building international relationships, furthering the discussion on learning outcomes and exploring the potential for a common worldwide student assessment. But as an instrument to produce reliable, […]

Piloting the CLA in Ontario

Research Summary: Large-scale Learning Outcomes Assessments Should Focus on Student Needs to Increase Participation The Council for Aid to Education’s (CAE) Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) and college-sector equivalent the Community College Learning Assessment (CCLA) are standardized tests to assess a postsecondary institution’s contribution to the development of students’ key competencies, including critical thinking, analytic problem […]