You Said, We Did
How your voice has made a difference
This page provides an opportunity to see the valuable feedback received from students across a wide range of communication channels, and to see what the OU has done in response.
Please note this video is now a couple of years old so some people no longer have the same title. The current Students Association leadership can be seen on their website.
Choose a topic from the drop-down list below to see how students can have an impact on their university experience and be empowered to help shape the University. Next time you are asked to give your opinion, you know that the OU is taking this feedback seriously and will respond.
You said...
I would like more in depth feedback detailing exactly what I have done incorrectly and guidance so that I can make the correct changes for future TMAs I am always making the same mistakes as I am never told what it is I am doing wrong.
We did...
To support the framework, the Senior Manager (Teaching and Students) will be making Module Teams aware of these student comments ahead of the 2020 presentations. Teams will be asked to remind their tutors of expected standards in tutor briefings and guidance notes.
Student Consultations
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You said...
Social Sciences and Global Studies - 'Keeping going' Students indicated that juggling studies with home/work/caring responsibilities was difficult
We did...
We will ensure that module teams are aware of the SST contact details and links to StudentHome guidance on coping with your studies and that they publicise these and build them into their module support frameworks. Module team will be consulted on whether doing a weekly guide with advice on what is necessary/required and what maybe passed over if short of time would be useful; some modules already provide this. We will check with our technical support areas to see if the printable version of the module study planner might be more visible on module websites as well to support student progress.
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You said...
The lack of contact with other students was cited as a demotivating factor by some students
We did...
Director of Teaching (DoT)/Senior Manager (Teaching) will continue to work with Director of Research, SSGS on school teaching events, disciplines to support discipline days, the development of student societies and continue to consider further opportunities for support using the subject sites via the qualification leads.
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You said...
Social Sciences and Global Studies - 'Keeping going' Students felt that having a tutorial/tutorials with their own group tutor would be beneficial at the start of the module and at other points to build a group dynamic and a core student-tutor relationship.
We did...
Being implemented for 20J presentations already
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You said...
Masters students would welcome face-to-face day schools
We did...
From 2021 onward, Masters modules will have face-to-face events (postponed from October 2020 to January 2021 due to the COVID crisis)
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You said...
Many students mentioned the use of technologies such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams and would welcome their use in an OU context for greater online interaction
We did...
We will investigate roll out of Microsoft Teams and Skype to ALs, and protocols around use of these for student engagement.
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You said...
There was overwhelming support for a single honours, named degree in Geology/Earth Science at the OU.
We did...
Support for a single honours, named degree in Geology/Earth Science at the OU. We have drafted a formal business case and will submit this to the University approval process later this year.
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You said...
Key skills highlighted for a proposed new Geology degree include GIS, team working and report writing.
We did...
We are currently developing GIS material for the Master of Environmental Science and plan to introduce some basic GIS teaching at Stage 2 Earth and Environmental Science. We also plan to improve our support of report writing tasks in several modules.
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You said...
A new Geology degree should teach a range of practical skills and offer students diverse practical experiences, for instance considering how placements might be included.
We did...
To supplement existing field schools, we are scoping plans for new virtual field experiences via the OpenSTEM Labs and are designing a model to allow students’ external practical experience (such as work placements or courses from other providers) to gain credit on S831. Plan
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You said...
Field learning is critical to an Earth Science degree and every effort should be made to enable students to access and benefit from it.
We did...
We have improved the information on field schools so attendees know more what to expect. EEES staff are investigating how to design more inclusive field teaching, via OU projects and in collaboration with international geoscience educators.
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Latest Opportunities
Student Consultation Meetings 2025 - Get involved!
United Kingdom and online
National Student Survey 2025
Online/Virtual
