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...
Most students had a positive study experience and planned to continue, though they recognised there was room for improvement around assessment clashes and time management support. Some felt that the OU was not set up for full time study.
We did...
Delivering an improved experience of full time study intensity is a key aspect of ensuring our students are successful in their journey and this insight will influence the changes we will be making.
Marketing and Communications Insight
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You said...
Often opt for online learning as no local alternative. International student want to see proof that we are real and to be able to find us easily through a web search. Many are not aware of the OU. The tutorial timings can leave them at a disadvantage and the language in communications can confuse and should be kept simple.
We did...
A Messaging House is being developed to aid communication. Money has been invested to ensure that the OU features further up on a google search and real student 'Open Diaries' deployed on social media and online to aid credibility.
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You said...
A lack of contact from the OU, study fatigue, students wanting the qualification now and early achievement of study goal were all attributed to stopping thier studies. Early access to study materials would motivate students to register earlier.
We did...
Communication strategies and better promotion of Student Support service will form an aspect of an overall strategic effort to better enable students to continue their journey and achieve their study goals, whatever they may be.
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You said...
There was a lack of practical, hands-on experience such as field days and residential schools.
We did...
We are giving opportunities for field learning to more students - by piloting a scheme to open up under-subscribed tutor-led field trips to students on other, related modules.
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)Posted on:
You said...
You would like opportunities to learn GIS skills.
We did...
A GIS topic will form part of a new module, S831 'Environmental Science challenges', for the Integrated Master of Environmental Science degree. We also plan to introduce more GIS teaching at Level 2 in the near future.
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)Posted on:
You said...
Provide better signposting of opportunities to gain experience - such as field trips, training events, placements, volunteering, internships and so on.
We did...
We recently appointed an Employability Lead for our School, who works with the STEM Employability liaison to ensure employability is targeted in our curriculum. They are scoping a variety of opportunities for S831 and will extend these to other module teams as appropriate.
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)Posted on:
You said...
You would like to be more involved in the development of modules, to ensure they reflect student priorities.
We did...
When producing our module H819 'The critical researcher', we held a student and tutor feedback panel whereby students and tutors collaborated in an online forum to discuss newly written module materials as part of the critical review process. This process has now been rolled out in other parts of the University.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like to give direct feedback on new modules after the first presentation.
We did...
We now hold online student focus groups to collect feedback on modules after their first presentation. Students are also encouraged to email feedback to the module team as an alternative to participating in a focus group.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like our modules to be more relevant to a wider range of education practice settings.
We did...
Our two most recent modules, H819 'The critical researcher' and H880 'Technology-enhanced learning: foundations and futures' feature ongoing reflection on the applicability of the knowledge and skills developed to learners’ practice settings. Opportunities are provided for students to reflect on the relevance of their studies to their work and/or professional context. In our module H880 students build a personal development planning-style reflection portfolio that can be used as evidence in support of professional accreditation from bodies such as HEA/Advance HE and ALT.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like a greater choice of tutorial times in order to meet the needs of students from multiple time zones.
We did...
We have prioritised this in our tutorial scheduling process and, where possible, schedule tutorials convenient for all the time zones represented by students studying a particular module.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
United Kingdom and online
United Kingdom and online
At home / online
