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...
You felt that the workload on the 30 credit modules was too heavy and not reflective of a 30-credit module.
We did...
There will no longer be any 30 credit modules available on the programme when the current modules have been through teach-out and withdrawn. Our new module, H880 will be 60 credits.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like multiple presentations of modules to allow maximum flexibility to study at a time and pace that suits you.
We did...
Unfortunately, it is not financially viable to offer multiple start dates for every module. It could make for a poorer student experience if there are low student numbers on a cohort as a result of numbers being spread across multiple presentations. Tutor expertise could also be diluted when spread across multiple presentations.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like a break mid-module to allow some breathing space or for catching up, if required. 1-2 weeks was suggested as the optimum time for this.
We did...
We have recently introduced short breaks mid-module to allow for reflection and catch up on H818 and H819 and will continue this practice for H880.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like modules to be available in even smaller chunks such as 15 or 20 credit modules, to allow for more personalised learning.
We did...
The module team is investigating the possibility of our new, FutureLearn-based module H880 being offered as four 15- credit chunks.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like more proactive contact from your tutor or the SST to check on your progress at certain key touch points in the modules.
We did...
We are developing new strategies to ensure consistent, regular contact from tutors across all our modules.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You thought that tutors should receive training in how to support students with mental health problems.
We did...
We have arranged for a training session to be held covering supporting students with mental health problems.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like more interactive content such as videos in the modules to minimise the amount of reading.
We did...
We have already increased the amount of interactive/video content in our modules when producing H819. Our new module H880, which is currently in development and will be presented on FutureLearn, will include much more of this type of content.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like online rooms tutorials to be recorded so that students can watch them in their own time. Follow-up tutorials could then be used for group discussion.
We did...
All online rooms tutorials will be recorded, if students participating consent to this. We are also exploring the option of follow-up tutorials for the new module H880, which is currently in production.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You feel that some students need more guidance about how to use the online rooms tutorial software.
We did...
We have now included the link below on the module websites. It is a video to show students how to use the Adobe Connect software. This could be viewed prior to any tutorials and revisited as often as required.
MA in Online and Distance Learning
Click to see videoPosted on:
You said...
You suggested that H817 should be reviewed from a disability perspective – collaborative work and ambiguity being particular issues for certain students.
We did...
We are unable to make any major structural changes to the module due to the fact that it will be withdrawn in 2021. However, the module team have improved the clarity of instructions on H817.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
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